New Kia Magentis / Kia Optima (2011) revealed

Kia will reveal the 2011 Magentis/Optima at the New York Motor Show in April

Hot on the heels of the sketches we saw of the 2011 Kia Magentis just before the Geneva Motor Show, we now get a photo of Kia’s take on the Hyundai i40 (well, a CGI anyway). Which does seem a long lead time. We know that Kia intend to show the Magentis/Optima at the New York Motor Show next month, but we’re not expecting to see the Magentis in showrooms until 2011.

Just like the Sonata/i40/i45 from sibling Hyundai (which uses the same chassis as the Magentis will), the 2011 Kia Magentis (or 2011 Kia Optima on the other side of the Pond) is a very convincing looking D-Segment contender. It’s a long, low, swoopy-coupe looking car with a very Euro-centric style (hardly surprising – it was designed in Europe) that conspires to make much of the current competition – Ford Mondeo included – look rather passé.

It’s too soon to be certain exactly what Kia intend to offer in the way of powerplants, but it’s a fair guess that there will be the same 2.0 litre diesel and petrol lumps found in the new Kia Sportage and almost certainly a hybrid option. Although planned to be launched a a saloon we would be surprised if Kia don’t churn out an Avant-style estate version as well.

Although this is the replacement for the Kia Magentis is seems likely that Kia will dump the name before the launch. Although the info Kia sent us is headed ‘Next Generation Kia Magentis is designed to surprise’ they end up by saying “…the model name will be conformed closer to launch”. Our money is on the US name – Kia Optima – becoming the world name. The Magentis badge holds no currency, so a name change would perhaps illustrate the sea-change in design and quality. Or they could just go mad and pick a new name. Kia Olenji, anyone?

We’ll have to wait and see.

By Cars UK