Full Information, Details on the 2011 Kia Optima

Hyundai/Kia is definitely the talk of the New York International Auto Show. Usually the automotive press declares a show "winner" and in New York, that would definitely have to be Hyundai/Kia.

New introductions have included the Hyundai Sonata Turbo, Sonata Hybrid, Equus and the Kia Forte 5-door as well as the official pictures and information drop on the Kia Optima.

The Optima is one handsome mid-size sedan - and expensive looking too. Kia has clearly settled on a design language with its newest products, and it is one we really like.

It looks solid and technologically-oriented. One thing is clear, that while the Sonata and the Optima share platforms, the two are nothing alike. This is platform sharing done right.

Our favorite view is of the rear. It looks really different and is full of details, like the chrome strip running along the top of the roof and down the C-pillar to the rear trunk.

Inside, the total differentiation carries through, with a completely redesigned interior that is more oriented toward a sports feel than the Sonata.

Kia says that "from the moment the door opens, Optima presents an immediate sense of a driver's car.".

To achieve that, the instrument panel has been contoured toward the driver (like BMWs were once known for, and now are returning back to a bit) for easy access to controls and a cockpit-like feel.

Far as powertrains, the Kia Optima will debut with the same powertrains that the Sonata has - a 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder a 2.0-liter GDI turbo engine and the 2.4-liter hybrid.

The 2.4-liter GDI makes 200 horsepower and then there is the incredibly impressive 2.0-liter turbo GDI engine (in the SX model) that makes 274 horsepower. To our delight, a six-speed manual transmission will be available as well, however only with the LX four-cylinder model.

The Optima is slated to arrive in showrooms in early fall of this year, with the hybrid model coming later in early 2011.