Showing posts with label Kia Optima. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kia Optima. Show all posts

Friday, March 11, 2011

Kia Recalling 70,115 Optima Sedans Over Transmission Flaw


Kia has issued a recall on 70,115 Optima sedans manufactured from September 29, 2005, through June 13, 2007 because of a problem related to the transmission that can cause the cars to roll even while they are in park. The company said that in some cars, the transmission shift cable may have been installed incorrectly and can become detached from the shifter. If that occurs, the car would stay in the last used gear before detachment, even if the driver moves the shift lever to the park position. Read more »
READ MORE - Kia Recalling 70,115 Optima Sedans Over Transmission Flaw

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Kia Takes on Time Travelling with New Super Bowl Commercial for 2011 Optima


This year's Super Bowl is just around the corner and automakers are getting ready to spend millions of dollars to draw the attention of buyers. For a second year in a row, Kia will be present at the event with a full marketing campaign incorporating TV, digital, print and social media as well as in-dealership components, all focusing on the 2011 Optima midsize sedan.

The highlight of the campaign is a new 60-second spot that will air in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV titled “One Epic Ride”. According to the company, the ad shows people across space and time "from a police officer and an international villain to aliens and an ancient chief" trying to get their hands on the all-new Optima, which "becomes an object of desire even for Poseidon", the Greek god of the sea.

“2010 was a historic year for Kia, including our best-ever U.S. sales and our first Super Bowl commercial, and it was an easy decision to return to the game this year to build on the brand’s momentum with the arrival of the all-new 2011 Optima,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “The first phase of the Optima launch promised that this vehicle is ‘not your average midsize sedan,’ and we knew we had to deliver something big for this year’s Super Bowl to give this eye-catching vehicle the attention it deserves, while at the same time generating fun and genuine interactions with consumers before, during and after the Super Bowl.”

The South Korean automaker said it will extend the campaign by giving away up to five new Optimas through its “One Epic Contest,” a game in which consumers will have to solve a series of puzzles using clues found in pre-Super Bowl and game day advertisements and social media postings.

READ MORE - Kia Takes on Time Travelling with New Super Bowl Commercial for 2011 Optima

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Kia Optima Also Recalled Over Rust Problems

Same maker (aka the Hyundai Group), same problem (potentially excessive corrosion of the front sub-frame), different car. What initially started out in April 2008 as a recall for the 1999-2002MY Hyundai Sonata sedans over rust-related issues, has spread out to a number of models throughout the Hyundai and Kia range. In addition to the Hyundai Sonata '99-'02, XG300 and XG350 '01-'04, Elantra '01-'03, Coupe '03 and the Santa Fe '01-'03, the South Korean automaker has now issued a recall for a total of 36,538 MY2001-2004 Kia Optima sedans sold in the so-called 'Salt-Belt' states.

Again, the recall is centered around the internal corrosion of the front subframe caused by the winter application of salt on the roads. According to NHTSA, if the problem is not fixed, over time, the corrosion of the front subframe could lead to the detachment of the lower control arm. Owners of the affected cars can contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 for more detailed information on the recall.

READ MORE - Kia Optima Also Recalled Over Rust Problems

Friday, October 1, 2010

New Kia Optima Shows Up in Paris to show VW how to Design a Mid-Size Sedan


The Kia Optima, which made its original debut in New York, has crossed the pond to give the Europeans a little bit of that Korean flava (or is that German?) and rub the 2011 VW Passat B7's newly styled nose in the ground. Riding on the same platform as the "fluidic" Hyundai Sonata, the Optima brings Kia's "tiger" style to the mid-size saloon segment.

The results speak for themselves; anyone with an iota of style would walk straight past the humdrum Passat and get in this.

With a pretty face, a driver-centric cockpit, and some efficient engines - a 170-horsepower 2.0-liter gasoline unit and a 136-horsepower 1.7-liter turbo diesel - here's hoping this will continue to push the Koreans into Europe and light a fire under the designers of the usually-conservative mid-size German players.

For the essential specs on the European Kia Optima, check out our previous post. European readers out there, it's time for you to weight in: is the Kia Optima possibly worth your Euros, or will you still be buying European?

By Phil Alex


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READ MORE - New Kia Optima Shows Up in Paris to show VW how to Design a Mid-Size Sedan

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Sigh... Viral Marketing Tricksters Knock on our Door with a Kia Called Mediocrity


We not sure how Kia's marketing people are going to feel about this one (unless they're part of it...), but photos of an older generation Optima covered in beige cladding and featuring a badge with the word "MEDIOCRITY" have just landed in our mail box. Tony B, the tipster-reader-scooper who sent in the photos, claims he snagged the car in LA.

Of course, it didn't take long to figure out that this is a viral campaign of some sort. However, since we're gearing up for this week's Paris Motor Show, we're not going to waste our time looking for answers about a covered up Kia...

Nonetheless, this is what we know: the photos we're shot on September 10; a similar set of images along with an almost identical text were also sent to Motorauthority (even though they mistook it for a "seven year old" Mitsubishi). See both texts below:


From Tony to Carscoop:

"I was in LA last week and saw 3 or maybe 4 identical test cars. The other spy cars had more testing gear taped on and computers and other screens visible, but by the time I was able to find my camera , I was only able to catch up with one of the cars.

I don't know what kind of test car this is, but they sure didn't want us to take any pictures. There was a M on the grille and a nameplate on back reading MEDIOCRITY. Are they serious? MEDIOCRITY?"


From Tina to MA:

"I was in L.A. last week with my husband and we saw several (5 or 6) identical test cars. The other spy cars had more testing gear taped on and computers and other screens visible, but by the time I was able to dig my camera out of my purse, I was only able to catch up with one of the cars.

I don't know what kind of test car this is, but they sure didn't want us to take any pictures. There was a M on the grille and a nameplate on back reading MEDIOCRITY. Are they serious? MEDIOCRITY?"


And well, that's about it. Feel free to have some fun in the comments section below.


"Scoop" Pictures:

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2004 Kia Optima:


READ MORE - Sigh... Viral Marketing Tricksters Knock on our Door with a Kia Called Mediocrity

Sigh... Viral Marketing Tricksters Knock on our Door with a Kia Called Mediocrity


We not sure how Kia's marketing people are going to feel about this one (unless they're part of it...), but photos of an older generation Optima covered in beige cladding and featuring a badge with the word "MEDIOCRITY" have just landed in our mail box. Tony B, the tipster-reader-scooper who sent in the photos, claims he snagged the car in LA.

Of course, it didn't take long to figure out that this is a viral campaign of some sort. However, since we're gearing up for this week's Paris Motor Show, we're not going to waste our time looking for answers about a covered up Kia...

Read more »
READ MORE - Sigh... Viral Marketing Tricksters Knock on our Door with a Kia Called Mediocrity

Monday, June 28, 2010

KIA Contemplating Switch to Alphanumeric Names in the U.S. [with Poll]


Kia may soon follow the increasingly popular automotive trend that is alphanumeric naming and abandon product names in its U.S. lineup, according to a recent statement by Hyundai Motor Co. Vice Chairman, Chung Eui-sun.

The automaker is already using a mix of alphanumeric and product names in South Korea and some other markets. For example, the recently revealed 2011 Optima and Cadenza sedans are known as the K5 and K7 respectively in the company's home market, while the Forte is said to become the K3.

Read more »
READ MORE - KIA Contemplating Switch to Alphanumeric Names in the U.S. [with Poll]

Monday, April 5, 2010

2011 Kia Optima to be Offered with 2.0-liter Gasoline and 1.7-liter Turbo Diesel in Europe


During last week's press days of the 2010 New York International Auto Show, Kia took the veils off the all-new 2011 Optima mid-size sedan (click here for details) that will carry the same name in all markets outside Korea.

While the new Optima will arrive in Kia's U.S. showrooms this fall, European buyers will have to wait until Spring of 2011 to get their hands on the Korean firm's D-segment sedan that will compete with the likes of the Ford Mondeo and Citroen C5.

Read more »
READ MORE - 2011 Kia Optima to be Offered with 2.0-liter Gasoline and 1.7-liter Turbo Diesel in Europe

Friday, April 2, 2010

2011 Kia Optima Sedan Unveiled in NY: Offered with 2.4L, 2.0 Turbo and Hybrid Powertrains


Taking pride of place at Kia's New York Auto Show stand is the all-new 2011 Optima that will arrive U.S. showrooms in early fall.

Designed at Kia's studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California under the guidance of Peter Schreyer, the all-new Optima is longer, wider, lower and most importantly, miles sexier than the vehicle it replaces.

Even though it looks nothing like the Sonata, the 2011 Optima actually shares the midsize platform and mechanical hardware with Hyundai's proposal in the segment.

Read more »
READ MORE - 2011 Kia Optima Sedan Unveiled in NY: Offered with 2.4L, 2.0 Turbo and Hybrid Powertrains

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

All-New 2011 Kia Optima Sedan Live from New York Show


Our man Phil is making good use of his digital camera at the New York Auto Show sending us 'live' photos of all the new models being presented at the Jacobs Javits Center.

This here is the all-new and very promising 2011 Kia Optima sedan that will go on sale in the U.S. this fall and in Europe next spring. The South Korean automaker's press conference at the NY Show isn't until tomorrow, so we don't have all the details on the mid-size saloon yet.

What we do know is that the Optima is a sister model to the also new Hyundai Sonata so expect to see the range comprising the same four-cylinder gasoline and hybrid powertrains. More photos after the jump.

Read more »
READ MORE - All-New 2011 Kia Optima Sedan Live from New York Show

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

2011 Kia Optima's Interior Sketchily Teased


This is a look at the upcoming Kia Optima's interior. I'll lay this out there: It looks like it could be pretty good.

According to a post on Kia's Korean website (yes, we let do-no-evil Google handle the translation), the Optima's interior will feature "Bio-Care" heated seats, heated steering wheel... [and] a Driver-oriented sporty stylish and ergonomic interior design." That's a lot of adjectives, but it looks the part.

Read more »
READ MORE - 2011 Kia Optima's Interior Sketchily Teased

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Next-Gen Kia Optima Spotted Undisguised in Korea (The Good One)


Kia's newest Optima (or Magentis/K5, depending on the market), that's set for a New York Auto Show debut at the end of the month, has been caught out on the town, somewhere in Korea. Found on TheCarBlogger (courtesy of the tall, dark and handsome Sanghoon), the site points out that this is likely the base model due to the seriously-undersized wheels. We'll agree.

What remains questionable is the Kia's C-pillar, which is reminiscent of an upside-down Hofmeister kink. Looks like we're going to have to see that in person; otherwise, looking pretty crisp.

Read more »
READ MORE - Next-Gen Kia Optima Spotted Undisguised in Korea (The Good One)

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Kia Keeps the Punches Coming With its New Optima: First Official Photos


Getting ready to debut its tiger-style in New York is the Kia Optima or, in other markets' case, the Magentis. Set to go on sale this Fall (Spring 2011 in Europe), the new Optima is clearly light years ahead of the outgoing model in regards to looks.

Big news other than the leap forward in design is that, much like the recently-debuted Sportage, the new model is "longer, wider, and lower"; that seems to be the name of the game.

This, along with its longer wheelbase, will provide more space in order to go up against D-segment top dogs like the Passat, Camry, and Mondeo.

Read more »
READ MORE - Kia Keeps the Punches Coming With its New Optima: First Official Photos

Monday, February 22, 2010

New Kia Magentis Sedan to Debut at New York Show, Replaces Optima


An all-new generation of the Kia Magentis, known in several markets including the U.S. as the Optima, will have its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in early April.

The teaser sketches of the 2011 Magentis suggest that the new sedan with the coupe-like roofline will be a much more interesting affair in terms of design than today's model and possibly more sportier looking than the larger Cadenza that will replace the Opirus in the States.

Kia said that the new Magentis will also be longer, lower and wider than the previous model, featuring a significantly longer wheelbase and will offer "considerably more" space for both people and luggage.

The South Korean firm's new proposal in the mid-size sedan segment is scheduled to reach North American shores from autumn 2010, while sales in Europe are expected to begin in the Spring of 2011.






READ MORE - New Kia Magentis Sedan to Debut at New York Show, Replaces Optima

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Subtly Facelifted 2010 Kia Optima - Magentis Launched in South Korea

It's only been a year or so since Kia gave the Optima, which is called Lotze in South Korea and Magentis in Europe, a mid-life makeover, but Hyundai's subsidiary has just announced the domestic market launch of a subtly revised 2010 model year. The new looks aren't so obvious as the exterior styling changes are limited to a new mesh grille, dark headlamps, new LED tail lights, black treatment for the lower part of the rear bumper and newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, Kia makes word of new trim and color options as well as additional features. There are no mechanical upgrades as the South Korean market Lotze will continue to be offered with the same four-cylinder engine lineup as before that includes a 2.0-liter unit with 163-horsepower and a 2.4-liter with 179-horsepower.

The refreshed Lotze is available for order in its home market, but it is unclear if or when the updated version of the Optima and Magentis models will make their way to North America and Europe respectively.


READ MORE - Subtly Facelifted 2010 Kia Optima - Magentis Launched in South Korea
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