Unhappy Saab owners are likely to be interested in the new Optima saloon, according to Kia UK MD Michael Cole.
“This is the first modern D-sector car for Kia and I think it has the right blend of style, equipment, performance, comfort and rarity to appeal to Saab drivers,” he said at the press launch for the new four-door model.”It is a very good model in its own right and a real alternative choice to the run of mill BMW, Audi, Vauxhall, Ford or Toyota models in the same sector and I think Saab owners like something different.” Kia Optima is strikingly styled
Saab stopped building models last April and went into bankruptcy before Christmas. Efforts to rescue the Swedish car maker have so far failed and its assets are likely to be split up unless a new buyer comes forward, but the new purchaser would effectively have to be agreed by GM, which still has intellectual property rights in some components.
“I feel Saab owners have no-where to go at the moment,” said Mr Cole. “They like a quality car which is different to the rest and Optima appeals to individuals and the user-chooser company sector who something different.”
Asked if any former Saab dealers had asked about a franchise, Mr Cole added, “Yes we have had some enquiries but we are fairly well represented throughout the country with 169 dealers and there are no real gaps to fill.
Optima goes on sale next month and Kia UK anticipate about 1,600 will be sold over the next 12 months. It will be sold only as a saloon and comes to Britain after being outstandingly successful in America, where Kia opened an assembly plant to build it, in addition to sites in Korea and China.
It will be sold in Britain only with 134bhp 4cyl 1.7 turbo-diesel engine, and mostly 6sp manual transmission but a 6sp automatic will also be available and is expected to account for up to 20pc of sales in this executive sector. There are four models in the Optima range from £19,595 to £24,495 and the auto option adds approximately £1,500 to these.
The equipment specification includes high end Infinity sound system from Harmon delivering 550Watts through 12 speakers which have been designed into the car from the start and integrated satnav system. Kia’s 1,2 and 3 grades are used but in Optima there is also Tech and Lux packages aimed at business users and private buyers who want specific equipment for their motoring needs.
Mr Cole concluded, “People will be impressed by the style and equipment of the Optima. I believe it will draw greater attention to the brand and this will have a knock-on effect for our other models in the range.”
First impressions:
Kia’s chief designer Peter Schreyer has done a tremendous job in creating a stylish and practical saloon with a lot of rear seat legroom, thanks to its US specification platform as used in the Hyundai Sonata.
Not only can the Optima stand wheel to wheel with the best from Europe in terms of exterior looks, it has arguably the most stylish interior so far from Kia and is thoroughly practical for passengers or driver with its aircraft-cockpit inspired cabin.
There are two fascia designs with three cylinder display on entry models and a thin film transistor cluster on others but controls and oddments provision are common throughout the range.
The boot holds over 500 litres behind a low lip and while the opening is not huge, the capacity is very good and sensibly shaped. Access to the seats is very easy and they are comfortable.
Ride quality is definitely better in the models with the 17inch wheels and slightly higher profile tyres which absorb road bumps much more and smooth out the ripples in the ride apparent in the lower profile tyres.
It handles well, accelerates reasonably quickly and the two models tested had a lot of flexibility which helped achieve economy of up to 53.2mpg on test. Motorway cruising was relaxed while in town the Optima was fairly agile weaving around parked cars and visibility was generally good.
Low insurance, emissions and tax costs and a 7yr/ 100,000 miles warranty are further plus points which make this one of the best value mid-sized cars now coming onto the market.
