New York Auto Show: 2011 Kia Optima (Magentis) revealed! Hybrid confirmed!

As you may know already, yesterday we revealed you the brand new 2011 Kia Sportage US-spec but all of you were waiting for something else! Well, today is here: the 2011 Kia Optima / Magentis was unveiled at the New York Auto Show.

Designed at Kia’s studios in Frankfurt and Irvine, California, the new midsize sedan reveals a completely new design line which is highlighted by a dynamic and streamlined profile. The new car will be available in three trim levels: LX, EX and SX. The LX trim level includes dual exhaust with chrome tips, solar glass, outside mirror turn signal indicators and 16-inch steel wheels fitted with 205/65R16 tires while the EX offers standard fog lights, heated outside mirrors, exterior chrome/body-color door handles along with 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/55/R17 tires.
Read Article

carguy68 - 4/1/2010 3:38:27 PM

+3 Boost

thats hot!!

fatandsassy - 4/1/2010 4:07:57 PM

0 Boost

Interior reminds me of a SAAB

JUGNU - 4/1/2010 4:15:06 PM

+7 Boost

That's a very good design. Have to see it in person but it is already very close to best in class.

JUGNU

_43LE - 4/1/2010 5:25:54 PM

+2 Boost

Yes, thanks to the former Audi designer Peter Schreyer.

mpls - 4/1/2010 5:46:41 PM

0 Boost

No wonder, Audi designer, comes to Kia, and copies from Honda, Lexus, Audi, Saab.. disgusting!!

raikkonen - 4/2/2010 10:09:10 AM

+1 Boost

The Accord wishes it looked this good up front. Accord front-end looks like it was cut out with scissors. LOL. Accord rear-end looks like the old Audi A6 (except it was cut out with scissors again).

You see Huu, anyone can play this game - it's pretty easy. Go eat some Ramen.

raikkonen - 4/2/2010 10:10:16 AM

-1 Boost

I didn't know the RX patented the angled interior Huu. OMG!

bmwdrvr - 4/1/2010 7:41:56 PM

+7 Boost

I think you guys are just nit picking trying to find anything to hold against this car. First off you would have to really be trying to notice that this car looks like any of those other cars as it doesnt.....not even the comment about it having BMW fender vents because the ones on the bmw had slats so clearly you dont know cars. In my opinion this car looks amazing it has several unique styling cues, and looks alot more expensive that what it is, overall amazing desighn especially for this class.

bmwdrvr - 4/2/2010 7:26:04 AM

+2 Boost

ok there is clearly gap in your logic lol and its funny your being insulting now ha. Let me open your gap how does the 3/4 angle look like an is and the rear look like a5 2 cars that looking nothing alike in anyway shape or form BUT according to your logic if it looks like the IS at the 3/4 angle its rear would also have to look like an IS., Heck the IS is less original than this car is in all honesty again just nitpicking

raikkonen - 4/2/2010 10:11:58 AM

-1 Boost

...and the Japanese are "ichiban" for copying.

Toyota even said they copied the proportions and styling from the S-Class. LOL.

By the way, the Toyota Century looks SOOOOOOO original.

mpls - 4/1/2010 9:18:08 PM

-3 Boost

seriously... cover the front grille and you have either a lexus or a Honda, definitely the stance of a lexus IS.. That ex-Audi designer is having a laugh isn;'t he ?

Lexus - 4/2/2010 12:17:54 AM

-6 Boost

Another disgusting design from Kia. You can see the Lexus IS design from the rear 3/4 view, front from Honda and BMW fender vent.

I will Never buy a Hyundai or Kia cars unless they stop copying and pasting other automaker design. Why drive or own a cheap car when you can spend a little more and get the Real stuff and no one laugh at you.

maikoazu - 4/2/2010 2:49:47 AM

+1 Boost

oh wow it has 4 doors it must have been copy from this and that...Who cares. Every car company copy from one another in some ways. As long as it looks good and built solid, it will sell.

Lexus - 4/2/2010 3:53:37 AM

-5 Boost

I know every automakers copy each other like I stated on my other thread but those automakers also have something you can easily it their brand.

For example, BMW with their Angel halo headlights and shark grill, Audi with it Big Grill and new thread mark headlight and MB the eyelids on it headlights.

Lexus with front grill and L shape rearlight, Acura with it Eagle front grill etc... When you look at this car, you don't anything that remind you of Hyundai or Kia. You only see design from other automakers.

Get the Picture? Good, now go play with your Hot wheel toys.

bmwdrvr - 4/2/2010 7:30:33 AM

+3 Boost

ok one a Lexus fan is the last person to be talking about a brand lacking originality I think Lexus just figured out what that word means this year. Not to mention what STYLING cues would a brand like kia pull from that are its own hmm? This is a brand new styling direction for them much like ironically lexus and their supposedly original L finesse styling theme which again isnt pulling styling cues from old lexus cars old European cars maybe...

raikkonen - 4/2/2010 10:27:05 AM

0 Boost

wait, so according to "Lexus", the identifying mark for Lexus is having a grill and L-shaped tail lights? LOL. Soooo innovative.

91z4me - 4/2/2010 4:54:05 PM

-1 Boost

Lexus,

Help me out here I don't see an L at all in the rear tail lights on the current IS

http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/Y/j/ag_07lexusis_is350rear.jpg

GS

http://www.cartype.com/pics/3741/full/lexus_gs450h_rear.jpg

or LS

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1XknPAfZhcs/ST0hQ8p3_WI/AAAAAAAADAc/z9N0BmXPKtU/s400/2008+Lexus+LS+460+Premium+rear.jpg

In fact I don't see a single unifying styling theme in any of the tail lights.

fatandsassy - 4/2/2010 8:23:21 AM

0 Boost

Love the rims...i bet they ae easy to clean

raikkonen - 4/2/2010 10:25:29 AM

0 Boost

Lexus RX and ES are most popular cars in NA for Lexus. Those cars are also based on a friggin Camry platform.

You're right, Huu. If Americans are buying tarted up Camrys, then we don't know anything.

Deutschland - 4/2/2010 11:25:03 AM

+1 Boost

You know the Koreans are succeeding because all the Japanese fanboys are melting down....lol they know this isn't good for them

Lexus - 4/2/2010 7:12:38 PM

+2 Boost

Don't if the Japan brands go down, get who next? That right, Hyundai will take the German down as well. Just watch and see my Friends. Just like how many German fanboy was like no, no I won't buy the Lexus because it a Toyota, blah blah... and Lexus was the best selling premium for about 10 years NA market.

Lexus - 4/2/2010 7:14:28 PM

+1 Boost

— 91z4me,

are you actully that Blind? When you look at the car above, especially the 3/4 rear view, it has a Lexus IS250 and IS350 look. Go and get your eyes and than come back and talk to me.

91z4me - 4/3/2010 9:45:56 AM

0 Boost

If you read my post then you would have seen that I wasn't asking about how you thought the two looked alike. I asked where you see an L in the tail lights on the Lexus models. I do see similarities in the rear window shape on both the Kia above and the IS, but not in the tail light shape or much of the roofline (the Kia's is taller and less sleek; also it has a more pinched in trunk than the IS).

Instead of bashing please just respond rationally, I truly don't see an L shape in the tail lights. If you can illustrate this then maybe I can.

raikkonen - 4/3/2010 9:10:45 PM

0 Boost

RX and ES are using the same platform as a Camry (the most boring car in the world). Hyundai does not share any platform with any brands, so no...they are not based on any of those.

If you see some design elements in the new Hyundais and Kias, good for you. Many complained about the Bangle-butt ripoff of the Camry when it came out. Toyota Century? Total Soviet/Bentley/RR ripoff!!! Acura NSX? Ferrari ripoff!!!

Hyundai/Kia uses a former Audi designer - don't you think there will be some European design elements? Have you been to Europe? Most Fords, Audis, Opels all look the same - very European design.

Design results speak for themselves: Honda/Acura has the worst designs in the auto industry. Lexus and Toyota is boring, which is why GIRLS drive them. Hyundai design is so superior.

Epik - 4/4/2010 4:55:08 AM

0 Boost

Wow. Just wow.

Looks damn good in my opinion. Lightyears of improvement over the last one.

VWGTi - 4/5/2010 6:37:25 PM

+1 Boost

There are flaws in the design, like the resolution of the lines in the front and back. But over all a pleasing car that stands apart from-but also in line with-the current market offerings.