Kia Optima Hybrid On the Cards for Australia

by Marc Greig under News on 09 Jul 2014 06:51:02 AM09 Jul 2014

Kia Optima Hybrid On the Cards for Australia2

Kia Australia is expecting to hold talks with head office in Korea about the possibility of the bringing the Kia Optima Hybrid to Australia. Kia Australia’s newly appointed CEO, Damien Meredith told Carshowroom.com.au “the Kia Optima Hybrid is in our future plans. We actually have someone heading to head office to discuss the Optima Hybrid in the next few weeks.”

CarShowroom.com.au hasn’t had the opportunity to sample the Optima Hybrid, but we did just spend a week in the Optima Platinum with Navigation and loved it. The latest Optima hybrid was launched earlier this year at the Geneva motor show. Obviously talks are in the very early stages for Kia Australia but the European version has a decent spec level and would be great for Government, Fleet and private buyer in Australia.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS / EUROPE

Upgraded Kia Optima Hybrid

Body & Chassis
Four-door, five-seater sedan, with all-steel unitary construction bodyshell. Transverse gasoline engine and hybrid electric motor powertrain driving the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Engine

2.0-litre / 110kW GDI

Name / Type	‘Nu’ / DOHC, four-cylinder in line, with dual CVVT
Capacity	2.0-litres, 1999 cc
Max power	110 kW @ 6000 rpm
Max torque	180 Nm @ 5000 rpm
Fuel system	Multi-point injection

Electric Motor

Type	Interior-Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor
Max power	35 kW @ 1,630-3000 rpm
Max torque	205 Nm @ 0-1630 rpm
Voltage	Max 270 V DC (nominal)

Combined Hybrid System Output

Max power	131 kW @ 5500 rpm
Max torque	319 Nm @ 1000-2000 rpm

Battery for Hybrid System

Type	Lithium-ion Polymer
Voltage	270 V
Capacity	5.3 Ah
Weight	41.3 kg

Transmission

Automatic

6-sp

Suspension & Damping

Front	Fully independent by MacPherson struts, with coil springs and twin-tube gas-filled shock absorbers. Anti-roll 22 mm stabiliser bar
Rear	Fully independent multi-link, with coil springs and twin-tube gas-filled shock absorbers. Anti-roll 18 mm stabiliser bar

Steering

Type	MDPS, electric motor driven power-assisted rack and pinion
Gearing	2.94 turns lock-to-lock
Turning circle	10.9 metres

Brakes

Power	Single 10.5 -inch booster (LHD)
Front	300 x 28 mm ventilated discs
Rear	284 x 10 mm solid discs
ABS	4-channel anti-lock system with EBD
BAS	Boosts braking power during emergency stops

Wheels & Tyres

Standard	Alloy 16 in x 6.5J 205/65 R16 tyres Alloy 17 in x 6.5J 215/55 R17 tyres
Spare (Standard)	Tyre mobility kit

DIMENSIONS (mm)
Exterior

Overall length	4845
Overall height	1455
Overall width*	1830
Wheelbase	2795
Front track	1601-1595 (depending on wheel size)
Rear track	1601-1595 (depending on wheel size)
Front overhang	965
Rear overhang	1085
Ground clearance	135