Exclusive pictures of the first-ever Kia Optima station wagon!
The Kia Sportspace was a concept vehicle that was first shown off at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, and it served as the inspiration for the new Optima Sportswagon.
The new vehicle, Kia’s first foray into this segment, will be shown off at the 2016 version of the Geneva show, but we already have some pictures we can show you.
It’s certainly a stylish model, a long, lean machine that sports the same width (1,860 mm) and length (4,855 mm) as the Optima sedan, but gets an extra 5 mm in height at 1,470 mm.
Kia Optima Sportswagon GT picture
The Sportswagon features the sharp lines and smooth bodywork that have become a Kia trademark of late.
The front of the new Kia Optima Sportswagon is exactly the same as the of the Optima 4-door sedan, but the rising shoulder and swept-back cabin make it clear that this is a vehicle fit for the tourer segment.
There appears to be more volume at the rear of the vehicle, with the overhang there creating that look.
The extra space is cleverly disguised, though, as a raked rear window and tapered roofline help deliver a look that is very much athletic in nature.
The sportier style of the Sportwagon can also be found in the LED tail lamps around back, as well as in the oval exhaust and integrated air diffuser.
Optima Sportswagon to offer 9 colors
There will be 9 different exterior colors to choose from when the Optima Sportwagon hits the market in Europe.
The vehicle will also come with an option of alloy wheels that vary in size from 16- to 18-inches.
Kia Sportspace cargo room
Practicality is a key feature of the Optima Sportwagon, and that begins by making it the incredibly spacious for both passengers are cargo.
There are a ton of great features included that stretch the limitations of the cargo space. The design of the body already adds some extra space for the cargo, which is rated at 553 liters behind the second row of seats.
That is about 48 liters more than you get with the 4-door sedan.
The use of ergonomic features in the boot makes the cargo space a lot more practical than what you are used to seeing in the average D-segment tourer.
Pop-up sliding luggage rails and a built-in net on the back of the rear seats help secure individual items.
Getting heavier items into the cargo space is easy thanks to a low, flat boot lip, and the Smart Power Tailgate, which automatically opens the boot door when the driver is in close proximity to the rear of the car.
40:20:40 split-folding seats also help with versatility, especially if the owner is someone who uses longer outdoor equipment such as a snowboard or skis.
The opening is in the central seat, which means rear passengers can still be seated in back.
Engines, GT model
There will be a number of different powertrains, both petrol and diesel, to choose from, and that will include a high-powered GT variant.
The vehicle will come equipped with a host of safety and convenience features as standard, so that everyone in the car can enjoy a safe, comfortable ride.
European on-sale date
Expect to see the new Optima Sportwagon hit European Kia showrooms in Q4 of 2016.
