Arrival: 2011 Kia Optima SX

If Kia's all-new Optima is any indication of where the company is headed, everyone else had better take note. I got my first in-person look at the all-new 2011 Kia Optima SX at our 2010 Car of the Year program.

"Is that really the Kia? I thought it was one of the Germans," I said to associate road test editor Carlos Lago. Just a few years ago no one in their right mind could possibly confuse anything produced by the Korean manufacturer with something from Germany. Which is why we had to get an Optima in for an extended stay to see if it works as well as it looks.

We added two options to our top-spec Optima SX, which started at $26,690. The $2150 SX Premium package adds a panoramic sunroof, power front-passenger seat, driver-seat memory, heated and cooled front seats, and heated outboard rear seats. We also added the $2000 Technology package, which includes a navigation system with back-up camera, Sirius traffic, and an Infinity eight-speaker audio system. When all was said and done, our Platinum Graphite Optima SX totaled $30,840.

Normally, our arriving long-term cars get a good break-in before being released to the hounds, but with just 350 miles on the clock, our new Optima headed north to San Francisco with online production manager Kirill Ougarov. As soon as the Optima got back, I immediately signed into it for about a week to get familiar with it.

The first thing I noticed was the styling, which is like nothing Kia has ever done. The exterior flows evenly and nicely incorporates angular bits. I don't really care for the wheels, but, other than that, the lines are fantastic. The Optima has the most handsomely appointed interior Kia has created. The black-on-flat-black paint scheme looks great, but replacing some of the plasti-chrome with a brushed plasti-metal to complement the shift paddles would make a big difference.

So far the Optima has made a positive impression on the staff, and we're looking forward to seeing how it performs as a family-hauler. As we rack up the miles and adventures, we will report all our findings-good, bad, or indifferent.

2012 Kia Rio Australian Powertrains Confirmed Ahead Of Q3 Launch

The countdown is on for Kia's all-new 2012 Rio, set for a local sales debut in the third quarter of 2011. This week however, prospective buyers can get an early look at the new Rio at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Melbourne.

Shown at AIMS in five-door hatch form, the Rio will be offered locally with two powertrains: a 1.4 litre MPI DOHC CVVT four-cylinder petrol engine, and the company's larger 1.6 litre Gamma GDI four-cylinder petrol engine.

The 1.4 litre engine produces 79kW at 6300rpm and 135Nm of torque at 4200rpm. The larger 1.6 litre GDi engine however gets direct-injection to bring a 13 percent power improvement over the regular 1.6 Gamma engine.

Power for the GDi engine is listed at a sprightly 103kW at 6300rpm with 167Nm of torque at 4850rpm.

Suspension is managed by a MacPherson Strut setup at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear, with disk brakes all around. Steering is electrically assisted, and the steering wheel is adjustable for both height and reach.

Overall, the 2012 Kia Rio is noticeably larger than the car presently on sale. The new Rio's wheelbase is 70mm longer, while the body is 20mm longer and 25mm wider. Interior space has grown as a result, with 45mm more front legroom and seven percent more luggage room.

Designed to compete in the growing light car segment with the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20 and Mazda2, Kia will be looking to the Rio - the brand's traditional volume seller - to make a big impact in 2012.

The all-new Rio will go on-sale late in the third quarter of this year in five-door hatch form, available in three specification levels.

The new Rio sedan and three-door hatch will go on sale in early 2012.

Final specifications and pricing will be announced closer to launch.