Tag Archives: Kia Optima Hybrid

Automobiles

Kia Optima Hybrid gets same updates as Hyundai cousin, slightly higher price

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By Sebastian Blanco

2013 kia optima hybrid

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After a slight delay, we now bring you your regularly scheduled refresh of the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. As with the Hybrid Sonata Hybrid update, the reworked Optima gas-electric gets more power – a 40 pound-feet increase in torque, up to 235 lb-ft – from a bigger 47-horsepower electric traction motor and a more powerful 47-kW lithium-polymer battery. The price also gets bigger, but only a little bit. The new MSRP starts at $25,900, up $100 from the 2012 Optima Hybrid. That’s for the base LX model, the fully loaded EX trim starts at $31,950 (fees and delivery extra).

Given that this is a hybrid, fuel economy is key, and the 2013 model bumps those all-important EPA numbers up a smidge, too. The 2013 Optima Hybrid LX is expected to get 36/40/38 city/highway/combined miles per gallon. The 2013 EX does a little worse, at 35/39/37. For comparison’s sake, the 2012 model (there was only one trim level) is rated at 34/39/36, the same as the 2011, when Kia introduced the Optima Hybrid. These numbers are the updated, lower figures after Kia admitted earlier estimates were too high, so the new version is better in almost every category. Add in more trunk space and a new-for-2013 navigation system with rearview camera in the EX model, and you’ve got yourself a bunch of small but welcome updates.

Continue reading Kia Optima Hybrid gets same updates as Hyundai cousin, slightly higher price

Kia Optima Hybrid gets same updates as Hyundai cousin, slightly higher price originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago: We obsessively covered Day One of the 2013 Chicago Auto Show

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By Steven J. Ewing

Autoblog's 2013 <a class=Chicago Auto Show – coverage graphic” src=”http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/autoshowchicago2013.jpg” />

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It’s funny, you can technically refer to this week’s Chicago expo as both the largest and smallest North American auto show on the media circuit. On one hand, McCormick Place offers the most expansive show floor, meaning that, technically, it’s the largest; but in terms of the amount of actual news and vehicle debuts, Chicago is by far the smallest show. Ironic, don’tcha think?

Nevertheless, we’re having a good time here in the Windy City at the show’s 105th installment(!), and while there wasn’t a great deal to ooh and aah over on Day One, there’s still a lot to talk about at the Chicago Auto Show. We’ve collected all of the posts from our coverage today and grouped them together in handy roundup format for your perusal below. Enjoy!

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We obsessively covered Day One of the 2013 Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobiles

Chicago: Superman-inspired Kia Optima Hybrid helps those affected by drought and famine in Africa

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By Michael Harley

2013 Kia Optima Hybrid Superman concept - live at 2013 Chicago Auto Show reveal

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Kia, DC Entertainment and Super Street magazine worked as a team to develop this one-of-a-kind Superman-themed Optima Hybrid that made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show today. The joint effort is designed to raise awareness for DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, a charitable relief effort to bring help and hope to people affected by drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.

The metallic blue and red sedan, which thankfully manages to look better in person than it does in the pictures, is the seventh vehicle in a 10-month partnership between the automaker, comic book company and tuner as they build themed vehicles representing all of the Justice League heros. A yet-unseen eighth vehicle will be an amalgamation of all seven Super Heroes in one.

There is no mistaking the blue metallic finish with red chrome accents, or the world’s most recognizable superhero’s chest emblem glowing on the hood, but you have to look closer to see the Superman logo on the rear fascia and catch the red glow from the headlights. The theme has been carried into the cabin, where occupants will find custom upholstery and Superman’s iconic shield on the seats and airbag cover. While the hybrid sedan’s gasoline-electric powertrain remains untouched, the Optima features flared fenders, oversize 22-inch wheels and a height-adjustable suspension that is controlled from the cockpit. Read more in the official press blast below.

Continue reading Superman-inspired Kia Optima Hybrid helps those affected by drought and famine in Africa

Superman-inspired Kia Optima Hybrid helps those affected by drought and famine in Africa originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobiles

Chicago: Superman-themed Kia Optima Hybrid definitely not faster than a speeding bullet

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By John Neff

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The Justice League of America’s garage is filling up quickly, with Kia and DC Entertainment unveiling its sixth of eight super hero-inspired vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show today. The vehicles are being used to raise awareness for DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” giving campaign.

The latest Kia to get the super hero treatment is the Optima Hybrid, which draws on the almighty Superman for inspiration. We’re not sure what to make of this thing, honestly, as neither Clark Kent nor Kal-El would be caught dead in it (unless it’s got the optional Kryptonite seatbelts, of course). Rather, this looks like what we imagine a Superman fanboy would construct if given carte blanche to ruin an Optima Hybrid. The actual design and construction were handled jointly by Kia, DC Entertainment and Super Street magazine.

We’ll let the pictures do the talking in terms of what modifications were made since they’re all cosmetic. That is, no mechanical mods were done to make the Kia Optima either faster than a speeding bullet or more powerful than a locomotive (shame).

We mentioned this is the sixth of eight super-hero inspired Kias. The first five were Batman (Optima SX), Flash (Forte Koup), Green Lanter (Soul), Cyborg (Forte Five-Door) and Aquaman (Rio Five-door). That means the seventh car will be for Wonder Woman, and we can’t wait to see how tastefully her costume can be converted into a car design. The eight and final car, meanwhile, will be a mash up of all the super heroes in one car.

Continue reading Superman-themed Kia Optima Hybrid definitely not faster than a speeding bullet

Superman-themed Kia Optima Hybrid definitely not faster than a speeding bullet originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teased: Superman joining Kia's Justice League-themed fleet of vehicles

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

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Kia is teaming up with the Justice League once again to create another show car that will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show. At the 2012 SEMA Show, Kia showed off various models inspired by DC Entertainment characters Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and Cyborg, but a Superman-themed Kia Optima Hybrid will roll into the Windy City for next week’s show.

In the above drawing, we only get to see a small portion of this car inspired by the Man of Steel, but it will have the requisite red-and-blue paint scheme with Superman’s shield on the hood (subtle, it is not).

The previous cars include the Batman Optima, Aquaman Rio, Flash Forte Koup, Green Lantern Soul and Cyborg Forte. All six cars were created to raise awareness for the “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, which helps families in eastern Africa affected by drought and famine.

Continue reading Superman joining Kia’s Justice League-themed fleet of vehicles

Superman joining Kia’s Justice League-themed fleet of vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog