2003 Kia Optima Sedan Goes Upscale

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 8, 2002; Kia Motors America today announced that the restyled and updated 2003 Optima midsize sedan is now on sale at Kia retailers nationwide. Expressive, upscale styling and new product features are the headliners for the 2003 edition of Kia's largest sedan. The car's rich, contemporary new front and rear designs will turn as many heads as its value-oriented prices. In just two years on the market the Optima has struck a strong chord with discerning consumers who want a vehicle filled with useful features and covered by one of the best warranties in America.

"With a sleek new look and all the features and conveniences offered in other competitive vehicles, the Optima is a great alternative for those consumers looking for style and substance coupled with exceptional value," said Peter M. Butterfield, Kia's executive vice president and COO.

The 2003 Optima is priced starting at $15,500 for the LX 4-cylinder model and $17,895 for the LX V6. The luxurious SE model starts at $18,095 with the 4-cylinder engine and $19,495 with a V6.

The five-passenger Optima sports a new front-end design, with a new hood and grille, with new faired-in lighting clusters that are reminiscent of upscale European designs. The revised front end is complemented by new bodyside molding, new tail lights and rear garnish that give the car a cleaner, smoother appearance. New alloy wheel and wheel cover designs as well as three new exterior colors for 2003 (including Ruby Red, Imperial Blue and Diamond Silver) put the finishing touches on Kia's revised mid-size sedan.

The front-wheel-drive Optima is available with a choice of two engines. The 2.7-liter DOHC V6 delivers 170 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the 2.4-liter DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine offers 138 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 147 lb-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm.

This year both Optima engines can be equipped with the Sportmatic four- speed automatic transmission that allows the driver to select the desired gear "manually" as well as functioning like a traditional automatic transmission when shifted to "Drive." A five-speed manual transmission is standard with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine in the LX trim, with the Sportmatic automatic transmission available as an option. Sportmatic is standard equipment on all V6 Optimas and on the 4-cylinder SE.

Fuel economy for the four-cylinder engine with manual transmission is 23 city/30 highway and for the four cylinder with the Sportmatic transmission is 22 city/30 highway. The Optima with the V6/Sportmatic powertrain delivers 20 city/27 highway EPA fuel economy figures.

Underneath the Optima's stylish good looks is a unitized body platform with a 106.3-inch wheelbase. The generous wheelbase gives the car good straight-line tracking and supple ride quality. At 185.8 inches in overall length and 100 cubic feet of interior volume, the Optima offers a spacious interior yet is easy to maneuver.

Inside the Optima the big news is a re-designed center stack portion of the instrument panel that makes the climate control system and audio controls even easier to use. At the same time the highly praised comprehensive gauge package offers the same easy-to-read instrumentation as the 2002 model.

Comfort and style are the twin hallmarks of the Optima's interior. The spacious five-passenger seating area features new seat fabric, and the door panels have also been revised. The upscale SE model is equipped with a broad array of new standard equipment including automatic climate control, auto-dimming rear view mirror with the Homelink system, Infinity speakers, a delayed off dome light, a separate key fob and remote with two-turn door-unlocking feature. The SE's optional leather package now includes a highly styled woodgrain-leather steering wheel in addition to leather seat trim and a four-way power passenger seat. An important addition to the LX model is a standard AM/FM/CD audio system replacing last year's AM/FM/Cassette unit. The LX four-cylinder model is now also equipped with standard cruise control.

The Optima's sophisticated all-independent suspension has been tuned to deliver responsive handling and superior ride comfort. The front suspension uses double wishbones, coil springs and tubular shocks, while the rear suspension is a multi-link design with coil springs and tubular shocks. Stabilizer bars are fitted both front and rear. Aiding handling is the power -assisted rack-and-pinion steering system.

While the SE is the Optima's top trim, buyers of the LX model won't feel they are driving a "base" model. The LX trim level offers a bevy of useful standard equipment, including front seat mounted side airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, first aid kit, variable intermittent windshield wipers, an audio pocket cover and 15-inch wheelcovers. The SE adds newly designed alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, fog lights, moonroof, keyless entry and alarm, a premium audio system with cassette and CD player, plus interior niceties like leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power driver's seat and woodgrain trim. Additional features include auto headlights and two key fobs and remotes.

On the safety front, four-wheel disc brakes are standard, unlike most midsize sedans. The V6 models offer optional four-sensor, four-channel antilock braking systems. Front seat belts are height-adjustable and feature pretensioners with force limiters to work with the front seat and side airbags to enhance occupant protection. All five seating positions have three-point restraints and adjustable head rests. The rear seats are equipped with upper and lower child restraint anchors, and the rear doors offer child safety door locks.

Like all Kia models, the Optima is covered by Kia's comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in the package are a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year or 100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance plan is also part of the comprehensive coverage program.

Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea