Style DEC (01.12.16)

Style | motoring 43
the specs
price: Kia Optima Ltd, $48,990
DimensiOns: Length, 4855mm;
width, 1860mm; height, 1465mm
cOnfiguratiOn: Four-cylinder,
front-wheel-drive, 2359cc, 138kW, 241Nm,
six-speed automatic.
perfOrmance: 0-100km/h, 8.8sec
fuel usage: 8.3l/100km
Rated at 138kW and 241Nm, the
twin-camshaft, 16-valve unit has plenty
of urge. it drives through the low and
close ratios of a six-speed automatic
gearbox, together the driveline
promotes swift acceleration and easy
momentum when it reaches the
driver’s desired speed.
it’s hard to detect how hard the
engine is working, for a big block fourcylinder
it is uncannily subdued, and
even under acceleration sound is well
isolated from the cabin.
Unfortunately, my testing time was
cut a little short, an engine maintenance
warning light flicked up on the dash
during the time the test car was in my
care, so i was very circumspect as to
how i drove the car, and how far.
that aside, the engine has a lot of
usable torque through the mid range,
which means it is happy slugging it
out in the areas where fuel use is
minimised.
Kia claims an 8.3-litre per 100km
(34mpg) combined cycle average for
the Optima and that figure is quite
realistic, during my time with the
test car the fuel usage readout was
constantly listing around 9l/100km
(31mpg) along with a 6l/100km
(47mpg) figure available
instantaneously at 100km/h (engine
speed 1700rpm).
the Optima cruises beautifully, it has
a plush ride and sound is deadened. Kia
has utilised a fully independent, front
stunt/rear multiple link set-up. i like
these arrangements, the rear wheels
have freedom, and springs and shocks
are allowed to do their job unimpeded.
mid-corner bumps are dealt to without
deviation off-line, while at the other
end steerage is direct and turn-in is
accurate.
Riding on high-quality michelin pilot
rubber (235/45 x 18in), the sport
specification tyres have strong grip
properties along with little sound. they
are also partly responsible for the
strong steering feel, the driver is fully
involved with the handling process.
Creating a new car and building
on the success of its predecessor is a
complicated and difficult process, but
Kia has always done that well, and the
Optima is a good example of how
sophisticated the modern sedan has
come to be.
it’s just a pity the sedan market in
languishing in an age where a buyer’s
first choice is generally a sport utility
vehicle. Good cars like the Optima
deserve to do better.
Couldn’t you just
take it home.
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