Kia has updated the Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid for 2019, which includes a completely redesigned lower front bumper, with LED daytime running lights that give an increasingly dynamic appearance. The 17-inch alloy wheels are already revised, with a new diamond-cut design.
The collection of grades has long been expanded or two, with ‘PHEV Plus’ grade joining the line-up. Additional equipment includes leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, Smart High Beam Assist, Hydrophobic front glass, a good powered tailgate, ventilated front seats, Smart Park Assist System (SPAS), a radio mobile phone charger, 360-degree Around View Monitor, Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear-cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
The new Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid range joins the all-electric Soul EV, Niro self-charging Hybrid and Niro plug-in hybrid in Kia’s alternative-powertrain line-up. By any means . expanded further in 2019 while using the launch from the e-Niro and all-new Soul EV, so it helps to drive Kia towards its objective of a 25 per cent cut in fleet average CO2 emissions by 2020, in accordance with 2014 figures.
With many different nearly 33 miles in all-electric mode, the Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid will be able to complete many regular urban commuter runs with no tailpipe emissions, while its CO2 figure of just 33g/km (NEDC 2.0) means company car users pay just 13 percent benefit-in-kind taxation in 2018-19.
The Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid combines a 152bhp 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine that has a 50kW (66bhp) electric motor operated by an 11.26kWh lithium-ion polymer battery power. The electrical motor replaces the torque converter from the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. When participating, the combustion engine and motor unit generate 202bhp and 375Nm of torque.
A package of aerodynamic, styling and technology features contributes on the Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid’s low CO2 emissions and potential combined fuel economy up to 188.3mpg within the new WLTP cycle. These changes ensure the plug-in hybrid is quickly recognisable as the high-efficiency model in the Optima Sportswagon range while minimising any relation to its practicality.
The most important aerodynamic change is undoubtedly an active air flap grille which lowers the car’s drag co-efficient (Cd) to 0.28 when closed. The neat integration of the batteries inside boot floor, together with a 15-litre reducing of how big the fuel tank compared to the diesel-engined Optima Sportswagon, means the plug-in hybrid is capable of supply a generous 440 litres of bags capacity with seats upright, rising one,574 litres if the rear seats are lowered.
Naturally, this type of technologically advanced item the Optima family is provided with a wide choice of connectivity and advanced driver assistance features, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen navigation system with European mapping. Android Auto?, Apple CarPlay?, Kia Connected Services run by TomTom? as well as eight-speaker harman/kardon premium head unit connected to searching for radio are usually standard.
Hybrid sales throughout the uk and mainland Europe have doubled within the last five-years and are also required to reach 700,000 yearly by the end of the decade. The Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid ensures Kia is perfectly positioned to consider a look at this growth. It is offered in great britan for a comprehensively equipped two-grade line-up.
A new phase in Kia’s hybrid development
Hybrids are usually not new at all to Kia or indeed the Optima range. The Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid and its extensive all-electric driving range, low CO2 emissions and ultra-low company car tax rating, make it a vital accent Kia’s fleet line-up in great britan.
The core feature on the hybrid technique are the next-generation 11.26kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The tranquility of the hybrid system allows compact packaging with the petrol engine, electric motor and automatic transmission for the front axle, with minimal energy transfer and conversion losses.
This leads to excellent performance and range for any D-segment estate car: as many as 33 miles of pure-electric driving at speeds as much as 75mph, a hybrid variety of approximately 696 miles and 0-60mph acceleration in 9.4 seconds. The switch between electric and hybrid driving is seamless, even though the electric motor’s 205Nm of torque from standstill ensures rapid acceleration and instantaneous step to the throttle pedal.
Intelligent fuel-saving and energy-harvesting technologies
The Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid comes with a variety of technological innovations to assist it make use of the power in its battery within the handiest way and top up its batteries on the go.
The car’s sophisticated technologies include regenerative braking, a driving style guide, an ECO-DAS (ECOnomy Driver Assistance System) plus an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Select switch. You’ll find it comes with an intelligent heating, ventilation and air conditioner (HVAC) system to avoid wasting power supply.
HEV Select gives the means to access two driving modes by using a button in between console. In EV (charge depletion) mode the car runs for a purely electric vehicle should the energy placed in the batteries is adequate, and it is able to regenerate energy moving home to recharge the batteries. The Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid posseses an all-electric driving selection of around 33 miles. HEV (sustaining) mode allows the powertrain to balance the usage of motor and petrol engine for your seamless blend of electric and internal combustion power. During this mode, a better proportion of propulsion arises from the petrol engine along with the charge higher level of the batteries is being topped up later.
Kia’s regenerative braking system, now in third generation guise, allows the car to harvest kinetic energy C energy made by motion C to top up the batteries when coasting or braking.
The advanced HVAC system has become adapted from that inside the Soul EV, and permits merely the driver’s side in the car for being cooled in the event the other seats are unoccupied to minimise energy usage. And also this by way of a smart air intake, compared with rival systems which merely divert the airflow to the driver when other vents are closed and therefore tend not to reduce overall energy consumption.
The Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid while in the UK
The Sportswagon plug-in hybrid comes extensively attired and is also easily obtainable in selecting ‘PHEV’ or ‘PHEV Plus’ derivatives. Its comprehensive specification includes 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres, LED daytime running lights and headlights C warriors with automatic levelling, welcome and follow-me-home lighting, an 8.0-inch touchscreen sat nav system with European mapping, an eight-speaker harman/kardon? Premium Subwoofer with subwoofer, external amplifier and front centre speaker, front and back parking sensors, a reversing camera built into the navigation screen with dynamic guidelines, dual-zone automatic a / c, a leather-trimmed leader and gearshift, controls mounted controls, all-round electric windows, smart cruise control which includes a speed limiter, remote central locking, an electronic digital parking brake along with a 4.3-inch full-colour TFT (Thin Film Transistor) instrument display. To the ‘PHEV’ variant black cloth and pretend leather seats are available, while black leather seats are fitted in the ‘PHEV Plus’ variant. For grades, seats have eight-way power adjustment and four-way power lumbar adjustment over the driver’s side.
The comprehensive suite of connectivity features includes Android Auto? and Apple CarPlay?. The primary focus of it is definitely the latest 8.0-inch touchscreen sat nav system with European mapping and traffic messaging channel. In addition, there is Kia Connected Services featuring TomTom? that includes live traffic reports, speed camera locations, local internet search and weather updates. The device also includes Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connectivity and USB sockets in the front. For more convenience, there exists a USB port in rear floor console. A reversing camera with dynamic guidelines is included in the touchscreen. The device is linked to DAB radio during their eight-speaker harman/kardon? premium audio system with subwoofer, external amplifier and front centre speaker.
‘PHEV Plus’ versions also boast a sensible Park Assist System (SPAS), a panoramic sunroof, hydrophobic front glass, an intelligent power tailgate and smart high beam assist to your headlights. Leather upholstery is roofed as standard, besides ventilated front seats and two-way lumbar support for your front passenger seat. A wireless mobile phone charger, 360-degree Around View Monitor, Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), a luggage net and safety barrier net can also be included during their elevated specification.
Uniquely during the Sportswagon range, there are bespoke low-drag front and back bumpers, an active air-flap grille, blue chrome trim for the lower front air intake, upper grille and side sills with an exclusive navigation screen with a series of menus and help the motorist to have the highest possible range in EV mode.
Market, warranty and after-care
In preserving every Kia, the Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid has the company’s unique-in-the-UK seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, subject to certain wear out conditions. The warranty is fully transferable in the event the car be sold until the time or mileage limits happen to be reached.
The Optima Sportswagon plug-in hybrid can be acquired with ‘Kia Care’ service plans, that are created to provide customers using a wide range of service plan selections for any Kia model inside first seven many years of the vehicle’s life C matching its industry-leading seven-year warranty.
The service plans incorporate a comprehensive selection of options for example the original, traditional, first three and five services as well as those between, but also a client is now able to purchase services up to and including the seventh service which fits the total entire warranty. The plans are available for all Kia owners and can be purchased at any point of ownership for cars nearly five-years old.
UK Optima Sportswagon PHEV line-up
| Variant | Power bhp |
Torque Nm |
0C60 mph sec |
Max speed mph |
Combined mpg (WLTP) ? |
| ‘PHEV’ 2.0 GDi | 202 | 375 | 9.4 | 119 | 188.3 |
| ‘PHEV Plus’ 2.0 GDi | 202 | 375 | 9.4 | 119 | 188.3 |
Pricing
| Variant | OTR from |
| ‘PHEV’ 2.0 GDi | 34,995 |
| ‘PHEV Plus’ 2.0 GDi | 38,995 |
