Has Kia Upset The "Inexpensive Is Boring" Mantra With The 2011 Optima?

Kia released four sketches of its next-generation Optima midsize sedan today. The rakish design reminds us of recent Audis while still sporting the new corporate face of the brand that we’ve seen on the Kia Sorento crossover and Forte compact.

The public debut will be April 2 at the New York International Auto Show’s media days, with sales starting this fall. More sketches below. 





2011 Hyundai Sonata Launch Photo Gallery

2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost Launch Photo Gallery

2010 Chicago Auto Show Photo Gallery

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commander104 - 2/22/2010 11:04:11 PM

+2 Boost

I prefer a blue or gray car but silver works in the snowbelt, you can hardly see the salt spray on it.

JUGNU - 2/22/2010 12:38:05 PM

+4 Boost

Is this related to newly launched Kia Cadenza?

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/10/2011-kia-cadenza-live-photo-galore-from.html

Anyway Kia/Hyundai have been very impressive lately. This is another nice design and solid effort from them.

JUGNU

Agent009 - 2/22/2010 12:54:59 PM

+1 Boost

The main reason for this shift could be that these are first designs from Peter Schreyer the former Audi designer that left in 2006 to head up Kia design.

91z4me - 2/22/2010 12:56:54 PM

+1 Boost

That Cadenza is looking NICE. Seriously I think Hyundai/Kia are on a roll in the design area. I would like to see Kia get a more aggressively designed Genesis cousin. That may be a huge hit for them.

pushrod27 - 2/22/2010 3:07:41 PM

-3 Boost

the sketch is nice, but they'll just completely ruin when they stick a 'KIA' badge on it.

dodgedart - 2/22/2010 4:31:20 PM

+2 Boost

Hyundai/Kia is on a roll with improved quality and style. The brand recognition will catch up if they keep it up.

mggray - 2/23/2010 1:20:15 PM

+1 Boost

Too bad it won't look anything like that when they get around to producing it. The sketch looks nice. I especially like their new corporate fascia.