Kia Optima Hybrid sounds very raw
Thanks to hybrid technology is the great Korean now accounts for 20 percent aggregation.
Kia's big sedan is so far a small player in the conservative D-segment, due to the fact that he was only equipped with engines that do not qualify for tax relief.
Tax benefit
But now he is therefore in hybrid version with a two-liter engine with 150 hp and an electric motor that produces 40 horsepower. Linked to a six-speed automatic without torque converter that nice to the box is because, despite the relatively high power of 190 hp, the drive to work hard to the nearly 1,600-pound Optima Hybrid nice in motion.
He, according to Kia in 9.4 seconds to 100 km / h sprint, but really excited he not his place. To 100 km / h should be possible for purely electric driving, but this is in practice impossible. Once you have even a little throttle, the gasoline engine is immediately required.
If you suddenly accelerator pedal is pressed, then chokes the powertrain and goes the petrol to get hectic. It takes a second or two before the Kia does what you ask him. Also the engine sounds very raw.
Low speeds
The powertrain of the Optima Hybrid is the most in his element when you want quiet ride and the speed under him bite suit holds 3,000 rpm. Then the support of the electric motor the best advantage and moreover the car then remarkably quiet.
The behavior of the Optima Hybrid is especially comfortable to call. Too coarse wegoneffenheden by the chassis excellent captured, what with the pleasant sitting chairs and tranquility in the interior ensures that this was a great trip car.
Steering
One downside is the steering, which is around the middle and death itself feels very light be operated. In curves, the weight of the rear-mounted battery pack palpable, the back appears with a delay to the front than to follow.
That's the feeling of stability is not good. No car for the enthusiast so mate, but a comfortable maniac. The vast interior space, the fine finish and generous equipment speak in favor of this Korean.
The full driving impression of the Kia Optima Hybrid is read in Autoweek 42, from Wednesday, October 17 in stores.
