Kia Optima Sportswagon spied on a chilly day

Winter testing continues as Kia has been spotted taking out the Optima Sportswagon (SW) for a quick spin on a chilly day.

Now in its fourth generation, the Optima is getting ready to receive a wagon version for the very first time in the model??™s existence. The prototype seen here still wears a lot of disguise, but the SPORTSPACE concept from the 2015 Geneva Motor Show gave us a sneak preview of the production model that will arrive later this year. We just hope the design won??™t get lost in translation from concept to production as the SPORTSPACE was a looker, to say the least.

Just like in our previous set of spy images, the prototype caught on camera likely has the turbodiesel four-cylinder 1.7-liter engine taking into account it only has an exhaust tip. This engine is rated at 139 horsepower (141 PS) and 251 pound-feet (340 newton meters) of torque in the Euro-spec Optima Sedan.

A more appealing engine choice is going to be the turbocharged 2.0-liter with 245 hp and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) in the range-topping GT version. This one will also receive a more aggressive body and dual exhaust tips. We should also mention the naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter motor and a plug-in hybrid version in the same vein as the KDM-spec K5 variant launched back in November.
The Optima Sportswagon could be unveiled as early as March at the Geneva Motor Show, but Kia could wait until October for the Paris Motor Show. The bad news is a US-spec model has officially been ruled out as Kia Motors America believes it would overlap with the new Sportage.