Kia has given us a peek at the face of new concept car that will spawn the next-generation Optima.
While we don't know to what extent this D-segment concept will be toned down along its march to the production line, it does look quite realistic and best of all, it gives the impression that it's trying to be more of a sports sedan than a regular four-door also-ran.
Kia describes the concept as a “spacious and versatile accessory to an active lifestyle, as a purposeful, energetic design study for the style-conscious, and as a sanctuary from the stresses of the modern world.” Yes that's rather flowery, but at least there's no shortage of ambition here.
The as-yet-unnamed design study is the 11th concept car to be created by Kia's Frankfurt-based European design study and we'll get to see the whole vehicle when Kia pulls the covers off at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.
The production version is expected to see light of day towards the end of this year and while technical details are under wraps, it has been reported that the new model will continue to offer 2.4-litre normally aspirated and 2-litre turbocharged petrol engines in the US, and perhaps a diesel-electric hybrid for Europe. Watch this space.