New 2021 Optima looks ..........Futuristic .

[Waynerm002]

Oh, I'm aware. I see this as a good thing for KIA. If rumors are true that they will drop the 2.0T Stinger next year (2021), doing a Sporty top level Optima (GT), with the 2.5T engine pushing 300+ HP/TQ along with AWD makes good sense. As we know some people were comparing the Optima SX and the Stinger 2.0T (guilty here), it was hard to get the Stinger knowing that Optima with a similar engine felt more refined. KIA could keep the 3.3T engine as the base instead of replacing it with the 3.5T, add that to make a tarted up RS5/S7 killer. They can go after the RS7 later, in the next model, while giving it more interior space. That could really be their halo car. Just dreaming here.

The Optima could be built up into a sporty, luxury sedan, since Hyundai is going to do a N version of the Sonata. If they don't do something similar, they could offer some suspension and wheel upgrades and then offer an engine tune to bump the power. Or the enthusiast community will come up with a tune for those that want it.

 

[Waynerm002]

It also looks like the S7 with those tail lights. For your enjoyment.

 

[Nuthadey]

KIA could keep the 3.3T engine as the base instead of replacing it with the 3.5T, add that to make a tarted up RS5/S7 killer.

You're either overestimating the potential performance of Hyundai/Kia's 3.5t(t?) or are unaware of the performance of Audi's RS5 & S7.

The 3.5l engine will have to be rate way over 400 hp and Kia will have to revamp it's launch control to actually put the power down before it can compete with either of them.

 

[Waynerm002]

The 3.3T can already do over 400 with an aftermarket tune and can do even more. Audi's 2.9T has some impressive numbers at almost 450 HP/TQ, what makes you think KIA can't do more with their upcoming 3.5T if they wanted to?

 

[Nuthadey]

The 3.3T can already do over 400 with an aftermarket tune and can do even more. Audi's 2.9T has some impressive numbers at almost 450 HP/TQ, what makes you think KIA can't do more with their upcoming 3.5T if they wanted to?

I didn't say Kia can't do more. Any major auto maker can build a car with a thousand horsepower. The question is will they do it at a bargain price and retain their popular 10 yr warranty.

And it isn't just about the hp. There's other pieces to the puzzle that Kia would need to put together. Adding an extra hundred horsepower and making no other changes won't make the Stinger faster than a RS5 or S7.

While Hyundai/Kia might be ABLE to build a RS5/S7 killer I don't think they are are WILLING to do it.

BTW, those cars are both underrated and make over their advertised 445 hp.

 

[GenesisG70]

It also looks like the S7 with those tail lights. For your enjoyment.

maybe but probably a 1/4 of the cost and 100% more reliable.

 

[Chark]

Well, the Hyundai Veloster N won Road and Track's Performance Car of the Year award against some pretty impressive competition. Hyundai/Kia are proving their skill in developing performance variants of their vehicles. The future is bright!

Road & Track's 2020 Performance Car of The Year - PCOTY 2020

 

[westcoastGT]

Well, the Hyundai Veloster N won Road and Track's Performance Car of the Year award against some pretty impressive competition. Hyundai/Kia are proving their skill in developing performance variants of their vehicles. The future is bright!

Road & Track's 2020 Performance Car of The Year - PCOTY 2020

Albert Bierman !!

 

[Waynerm002]

That guy did great things for BMW and has started to make things better for the Koreans. They have quite a number of talented folks working for them now and while my wishes for some great performance cars from KIA, the fact is, folks would expect and pay for that from Genesis before doing that at KIA. In the future, who knows what KIA will be doing, but improving their brand image has made a lot of people take notice today. Adding in some sporty vehicles helps as well, going hard core might not be their thing now but that I think will change.

 

[westcoastGT]

That guy did great things for BMW and has started to make things better for the Koreans. They have quite a number of talented folks working for them now and while my wishes for some great performance cars from KIA, the fact is, folks would expect and pay for that from Genesis before doing that at KIA. In the future, who knows what KIA will be doing, but improving their brand image has made a lot of people take notice today. Adding in some sporty vehicles helps as well, going hard core might not be their thing now but that I think will change.

Albert works on all 3 brands ................

 

[Waynerm002]

I’m aware. The 3 companies are “family”, all benefit from that list of European designer and engineers brought on board. Hyundai is spinning off a luxury arm in Genesis and a sporty division with N-Performance vehicles. KIA seems to be in a quandary as to what they are doing. The K7 (Cadenza) and K9 (K900) are given VIP status in the US but the Stinger hasn’t been introduced that way. Dealers certainly don’t make you feel as though you got one of their top tier vehicles. That though, is a whole other story. I’ve followed their growth since the redesigned Optima Peter Schreyer penned for them. I’m looking forward to this latest version and hope it delivers in a big way.

 

[Waynerm002]

Found another Russian render that looks closer to the spy photo.

 

[xot1]

The 3.5T everyone talks about is 34XXcc and the stinger 3.3T is 3.3XXcc and if you do the math its only an increase of something like 125cc and the horsepower increase is 10HP.
The biggest change is dual injection system (vs carbon build up) and water to air intercooler.

 

[Waynerm002]

I noticed that in a video I saw on H/K technology presentation. I wondered if they will be doing something similar to Lexus and adding a hybrid powertrain to bump the power even higher for their Genesis line. As far as we know there are no issues with the 3.3T, except maybe efficiency but with the V8 seemingly being phased out, the 3.5T should be making more power to sit in its place. Guess we will have to wait for actual vehilces with it to see what the final output ends up at.

 

[xot1]

I noticed that in a video I saw on H/K technology presentation. I wondered if they will be doing something similar to Lexus and adding a hybrid powertrain to bump the power even higher for their Genesis line. As far as we know there are no issues with the 3.3T, except maybe efficiency but with the V8 seemingly being phased out, the 3.5T should be making more power to sit in its place. Guess we will have to wait for actual vehilces with it to see what the final output ends up at.

Biggest problem with the 3.3T is the carbon build up from the direct injection.

 

[1macuzer]

Revealed in its home market.
2021 Kia Optima midsize family sedan revealed in South Korean K5

 

[westcoastGT]

they use dual exhaust for a 4 banger and the new Telluride has a right side exhaust only ...........why ?? The Telly need it to look balanced

 

[turboAWD]

They need to compete with the Camry/Accord, I would guess. Plus, for the Telluride, they're already having trouble keeping them on the lots (at least they were when the first hit). Dual (fake) exhaust upgrade is for the mid-cycle refresh

 

[westcoastGT]

They need to compete with the Camry/Accord, I would guess. Plus, for the Telluride, they're already having trouble keeping them on the lots (at least they were when the first hit). Dual (fake) exhaust upgrade is for the mid-cycle refresh

its actually a dual exhaust , just stacked on the right side ...................

 

[Waynerm002]

It looks good, still have that Optima DNA. Hope they give it a performance version.