Kia has slowly been etching upmarket around the
world, and most of their latest crop of models are considered among the
top picks in their class. The Optima
Hybrid, which is priced from under $26,000, is one of those vehicles,
and in an effort to keep it up to date, the Korean automaker has
announced several updates for the 2013 model year car.
The Koreans claim the revised car is more
"performance-driven" and fuel efficient, despite the fact that its
overall power figure is down from the previous model's 206 hp, to 199
hp. However, thanks to a new revised 47 hp electric motor, torque is up
from 195 to 235 lb-ft (264 to 318 Nm), and this makes the car more
responsive in every-day driving conditions.
The 2013 Optima Hybrid
is also predictably a bit more efficient than the previous model,
achieving 36 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway, for a combined overall
rating of 38 mpg. It also features more trunk space than before, despite
having no exterior body changes.
This has been achieved with the installation of a
more compact Lithium Polymer battery, which benefits from better
packaging techniques.
A new set of
more aerodynamic rims are also now installed as standard – 16-inch on
the base model and 17-inch on the EX. It also rides lower than before,
in an effort to reduce drag.
Buyers can specify a panoramic glass roof, a
reversing camera, an 8-speaker Infinity audio system and heated and
cooled leather front seats, to name but a few of the available options.
0 comments:
Post a Comment