Automotive world: Kia Optima

الثلاثاء، 11 يناير 2011

Kia Optima

First generation (MS; 2000–2005)

First generation (MS)

Also called	Kia Magentis (Europe) Kia Optima Regal (KDM Facelift)
Production	2000–2005
Assembly	Hwasung Plant, Hwasung, South Korea Yangcheng Plant, Jiangsu, China^{[citation needed]} Kaliningrad, Russia^[1]
Engine(s)	2.4 L Sirius II I4, 149 hp 2.5 L Delta V6 2.7 L Delta V6, 138 kW (185 hp)
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (110 in)
Length	4,745 mm (186.8 in)
Width	2000–2005:1,815 mm (71.5 in) 2002–2005:1,820 mm (72 in)
Height	1,420 mm (56 in)
Related	Hyundai Sonata (EF) Hyundai Santa Fe (SM) Hyundai Trajet

From 2000-2005 Optimas were a rebadged variant of the Hyundai Sonata, differing only from the Sonata in minor exterior styling details and equipment content.
In 2010, Subaru started a viral marketing campaign using a 2001-2002 Kia Optima dressed up as the "2011 Mediocrity", in order to "promote" a generic mid-size car with nothing special about it. It is being used in comparison to Subaru's real mid-size offering, the Subaru Legacy.^[2]^[3]^[4] All of the Kia badges were removed from the "2011 Mediocrity".

[ Update

The 2002 Optima received a minor update. The Optima Regal was a luxurious version of Kia Optima sold in South Korea. American models did not wear the Kia logo on the grille, but the Kia logo was used in the grille for Canada. The grille was redesigned for the United States in 2003 (2004 model year) to feature the Kia badge, and the headlamps were restyled for 2004 (2005 model year).