2021 Kia Optima GT Confirmed With 286 HP, 8-Speed Dual-Clutch (2024)

Introducing the all-new Kia K5 fastback sedan

Showcases future Kia design direction and a new fastback silhouette
Driver-focusedinteriorwith a wide range of class-above technologies
Powered bya range ofefficientand powerfulSmartstream engines
Debut for Kia’s new eight-speed DCT; AWD available for the first time in K5
One of the most high-tech cars in its class with a range of in-car features
On sale in global markets duringthefirsthalfof 2020

The all-new Kia K5is a fastbackevolution of Kia’s global best-sellingsedan,combining a striking new design witha driver-focusedinterior,cutting-edge technologies,andall-new powertrain options.

In addition to showcasingKia’sfuturedesign direction, theKia K5is available for the first time with anall-wheel drive (AWD)system, in addition the standard front-wheel drive system. Power is provided by a choice of efficient gasoline ‘Smartstream’ engines, with the company’s new eight-speed wet double-clutch transmissionalso makingits debut in the K5.

Greaterlevels of cabin, high-techsafety features,and revised chassis characteristics mean the K5 is more relaxing, confidence-inspiring and engaging to drive than ever before.

Thomas Schemera,Head of Product Division atKia Motors Corporation, commented: “When we launched the K5 in 2010, it marked the dawn of a new era for Kia, with a design which heralded a step change in how the brand was perceived in markets all over the world. Now, two generations later, we believe the new K5 will do the same. With a fastback design, the new K5 is one of the sportiest cars that we have ever created; with its comprehensive range of cutting-edge technologies, revised engines and transmissions, and a luxurious new interior, it’s also one of the most advanced.

“TheK5won’t justplay a central role instrengthening Kia’spresence in the global sedan segment.Almost a decade on from its game-changing predecessor, italsorepresents the latestmilestone in Kia’stransformation into a creator of desirable, world-class cars.”

The new Kia K5 will go on-sale in many of the brand’s markets during thefirst halfof 2020.

Exterior design

Sportyandsvelte:the K5’s new fastback sedan silhouette

Presenting Kia’s next-generation design direction,the new K5brings with it a new fastback sedan silhouette. It isone of Kia’s sportiest designs to-date.

Designed in collaboration between all three of Kia’s design studios in North America, Europe and Korea, theK5 marks a greater leap forward between generations than any of its predecessors.

The frontof the car is characterized byan evolution of Kia’s‘tigernose’, integrating its LED headlamps into thegrille, with a ‘heart beat’ daytime running light signature expressing the raised levels of emotion the car is meant to inspire. The K5 features a more aggressive front, with the grille nestled beneath a subtleoverhangon the hood’sleading edge, parenthesized by angular air curtains and a wider air intake in the lower half of the bumper.

Inprofile,the K5 displays a greater sense of muscularity, with the body narrowing slightly at the midpoint between wheel arches– inspired by the ‘co*ke bottle’ shape of the Stinger’s body.The shoulder line gradually rises, narrowing the glasshouse towards the rear of the car and giving the cara sportier,‘lean-forward’stance when viewed from the side. The K5’s proportions are key to its sportier attitude. While the height of the vehicle hasbeen cut by 20 mm (to 1,445 mm), the car’s overall length has been extended by 50 mm (to 4,905 mm), its width by 25 mm (to 1,860 mm), and its wheelbase by 45 mm (to 2,850 mm). Longer, lower and wider than ever, the K5’s demeanor on the road is transformedinto one of greater on-road stability and maximum driver engagement.

In addition to adistinctive creasethatrunsalongthe K5’s bodywork,the car also features a modern interpretation of thechromewindow line that has historically adorned executive sedans. Lunging backwards from the base of the A-pillar and over the top edge of the glasshouse, it unifies the side and rear design by looping around the base of the rear screen, and back around the other side, addinggreater drama to its flowing, fastbackroofline.

Topped by this flash of chrome, the rearof the K5also boastsa newlighting signature, with its predecessor’s standalone light units replaced by a new LED daytime running light which spans the width of the rear deck. The dashes of light thatextend across the tailgateecho the ‘heart beat’ shape of the front lights, while asubtleducktail shape to itsreardeck is matched by a sportier lower bumper design and a chrome dual muffler design.

The K5isavailable with achoice of 16-, 17- and 18-inchmachine-cut aluminum alloy wheel designsanda wide range ofpaint colors.

K5 GT models will also be offered with a unique 19-inch wheel design, as well as more aggressive front and rear bumpers, special ‘GT’ badges, as well as dual twin exhaust tips.

Interior design

Driver-oriented cabin design with greater space

Elegant by design, and with a timeless, minimalist layout, the interior of the new K5 provides the driver and passengers with a peaceful retreat in which to spend time. The futuristic driver-oriented interior of the K5 is trimmed in a selection of tactile materials while the wide and horizontal symmetry creates a sense of space and harmony.

The wide dashboard shape is characterized by the integration of Kia’s latest infotainment systems, showing the next-generation design language that the brand will adopt across other models in the future. Replacing the infotainment screen integrated into the surface of the previous-generation’s dashboard, the new car sports a wide infotainment display which is physically attached to the instrument cluster in front of the driver. In certain models, the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen sits alongside Kia’s new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, displaying information clearly just below the driver’s line ofsight over the road ahead.

Additional technologies are subtly integrated into thecabinof the K5, with anavailableMood Lighting system, emitting softambientlight from panels in the doorsand crash pad, and wireless phone charging.

The K5 also features a powerful 12-speaker BOSE® surround-sound audio systemfor the ultimate immersive in-car listening experience.

Depending on market, the new K5’s cabin can be upholstered in a wide range of single- and two-tone color schemes, with cloth, synthetic leather and leather options. The dashboard is finished in a series of metallic and wood-effect surfaces for a more sophisticated appearance and feel, depending on vehicle specification.

Performance

Smartstreamgasolineengines, new transmissions, and a newAWD system

The new K5 is available with a range of new ‘Smartstream’ powertrains from Kia, and – for the first time – a new all-wheel drive system.Thepowertrainof the K5 deliversgreater confidence, greater efficiencyand greater refinementin performancethan ever.

One of the most important new introductions for the latest-generation K5 is the availability of a new all-wheel drive (AWD) system – the first time such a drivetrain has been offered on Kia’s D-segment sedan. Available with certain engines depending on market, the AWD system offers buyers enhanced dynamic capability in conditions where traction is reduced, shifting power to the rear axle based on driver inputs and road conditions. The K5 remains front-wheel drive as standard.

The K5isavailable with achoice of gasoline engines.For customers in North America and Kia’s domestic Korean market, anew ‘Smartstream’1.6-literT-GDi(turbocharged gasolinedirect injection)engineis available, featuring Kia’s new Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology. CVVD regulates valvedurationaccording to driving conditions, instead of operating on a fixedduration, boosting performance at low-to-mid engine speeds and boosting fuel efficiency. The 1.6-liter T-GDi engineworks up to a peak180psat 5,500 rpm, with a 265 Nm torque output across a wide range of engine speeds (1,500-4,500 rpm).

Depending on market, other engine options include a 2.0-liter MPI (multi-point injection) engine (152 ps, 192 Nm); a 2.0-liter engine with continuously-variable valve lift (CVVL) technology (160ps, 196Nm);anda 2.5-liter GDi engine (194ps, 246 Nm).

In addition, the K5 GT – available in North America – is powered byahigh-performance2.5-literT-GDiturbocharged gasoline engine,with power and torqueoutputs of290ps and 422 Nm, respectively.The 2.5-liter T-GDi engine is capable of powering the K5 GT from 0-to-100 kph in around 6.6 seconds. As powerful as it is efficient, the engine features Kia’snew-generationintegrated thermal management system,maintaining ideal operating temperatures thanks to an intelligent cooling system for the engine block and cylinder head. In addition, the engine features a new dual-injection system, switching between MPI at low speeds, GDI at higher speeds, and a combination of the two in the mid-range, depending on operating conditions.

As with previous generations of K5, hybrid powertrainoptions will also be available.

All engines are paired as standard with six- or eight-speed automatic transmissions, while the 2.5-liter T-GDi engines are also available with Kia’s new eight-speed wet double-clutch transmission (8DCT). Designed to offer the smooth shifting characteristics of a conventional automatic, the 8DCT enhances fuel efficiency over eight-speed automatic,depending on application.

The K5offersa tailored driving experiencethanks to itsDrive Mode Select system, which enablesdriverstoadapt the car’s acceleration, steering and gear shift characteristicson the fly.‘Smart’,‘Comfort’,‘Eco’,‘Sport’and‘Custom’ modesallow drivers to alternatelymaximizefuel efficiency, refine the handling experience, orenhancetheresponses of their vehicle to driver inputs.

Technologies and features

Cutting-edge connectivity and infotainmentfeatures

The K5’s suite of advanced safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies make it one of the most high-tech, comprehensively-equipped cars in its class. The range of features are designed to make driving safer and less stressful,providingtotal ease ofuse.

The K5’svoice recognition softwareallowsdrivers to usevoice commandsto controla range offeatures in the car, includingclimate control,electricwindows,heating for thesteering wheel, seatsandrear glass, and the audio system. Thisnew addition to the K5allows drivers to keep two hands on the wheel and their eyes on the roadahead.

Thecabin incorporates an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, incorporating audio-visual navigation,and Kia’s new12.3-inchhigh-resolution digital instrument cluster,providing crystal-clear information to the driver.

The K5is also available with an8.0-inchhead-up display, whichprojects driving information on to a small glass panelin the driver’s line of sight. The system displaysalerts from the car’s numerous driver assistance technologies,details of vehiclespeed,and turn-by-turnnavigationinstructions.

The K5is available witha powerful 12-speaker BOSE® surround-sound audio systemfor the ultimate immersive in-car listening experience.A new ‘Sound of Nature’ ambient sound function for certain markets enables occupants to select from a range of relaxing natural soundscapes for the cabin.

Safety

Advanceddriver assistancesystemswith new Remote Smart Parking Assist

The K5 boasts arange of passiveand active safetyand driver assistsystems,protectingoccupantsand other road userson every journey. Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) help to reduce many of the inherent hazards and stresses of driving.

Depending on market and vehiclespecifications, the ADAS range in the new K5includesForward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM)with Surround View Monitor (SVM)and Blind-spot Collision-avoid Assist (BCA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC)or Navigation-based SCC (NSCC), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), and Highway Driving Assist (HDA).

Kia’s ‘level two’autonomous drivingtechnology, Lane FollowingAssist (LFA), controls steering depending on the vehicles in front.LFAusescamera tomonitorroad markings to keep theK5in the centre ofitslane. In addition, theK5features a Rear View Monitor (RVM) withReverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA)and Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist (RCCA).

The new K5 is also the first Kia available with the company’s new Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA), which enables drivers to move their car autonomously out of a front-and-back parking space remotely with their key fob. This is designed to make it easier to get in and out of thecar in tight parking spaces, or if another driver parks too close to access any of the doors.

TheK5 is fitted with up to nineairbags, as well as a suite of electronic vehicle safety systems.All K5 models are equipped as standard with Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Electronic Stability Control, helping drivers maintain control under braking and cornering.

2021 Kia Optima GT Confirmed With 286 HP, 8-Speed Dual-Clutch (2024)

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