Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Kia Optima.

The most exciting thing at Kia's press conference today was undoubtedly the KOUP Concept, but sharing the stage and as an automotive wall flower was the redesigned 2009 Kia Optima. The last-gen Optima, not all that old itself, was derided by some for being blandly designed. Kia claims to have corrected this for '09, but dipped into the derivative styling bin to do it. Though all the sheetmetal is new, the '09 Optima still looks as interesting as white bread. New for next year, however, is a "sport" model designated the SX (no innuendos please). Slotted above the entry-level LX and top-end EX trims, the SX model gets a sportier suspension, black-bezeled grille and headlamps, LED turn indicators in the sideview mirrors, fog lights, and "hyper-silver-finished" 17-inch wheels. Powering the new Optima will be a new 2.4L four-cylinder producing 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet or torque, which is up 13 hp compared to the prior four-cylinder, and an updated version of the current Optima's smallish 2.7L V6 that's now up to 190 hp and 184 pound-feet. That's still underpowered in our book compared to other mid-sizers that have been offering 3.5L+ V6 engines producing 250 horsepower for some time. The Optima also gets a tweaked interior with more ways to plug into your consumer electronics (USB, MP3 player plug, etc.) and a revised color palette. All in all, the 2009 Kia Optima just isn't daring enough, whether you're talking about its new lines or the engines underhood.


[Source: Kia]

Close your eyes for a moment and picture the typical form of transportation for an NBA baller. We're assuming that none of you envisioned a Kia, but that's exactly the association that the Korean automaker wants people to make in the future. To that end, it's paid an undisclosed amount of money to buddy up with the NBA and become its official supplier of cars. This paid honor means that Kia can run promotions at the biggest NBA events of the year like the playoffs and the draft, and in return Kia will give cars to the charity of choice for the players named MVP, defensive player of the year, most improved and best sixth man. While we likely won't see any all-stars rolling in an Optima, Kia's affiliation with the NBA is a big advertising victory, even if the "official car" title cost the company a fortune.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]