Cars GlobalMag October 2013

Created under the direction of Kia’s Chief Design
Officer Peter Schreyer, the upgraded Optima features
new headlights, fog lamps, rear lights, bumpers
and wheels. At the front, the LED daytime running
lights are moved from the bumper into the headlight
– consistent with other Kia models – and the fog lamps
are set into a body-colour panel rather than the transverse
black panel of the original design.
New four-point LED fog lamps generate a truly distinctive
appearance and echo the dramatic appearance of
the lamps fitted to the new Kia pro_cee’d GT.
The upgraded Optima range receives new 17-inch and
18-inch alloy wheel designs and a new sharper-edged
The introduction of the new GS 300h premium saloon
makes Lexus the first prestige brand to offer
a choice of two full hybrid powertrains in the same
model range, the new version lining up alongside the
GS 450h launched in 2012.
The new GS 300h is powered by a second generation
Lexus Hybrid Drive system, similar to that introduced
in the IS 300h. It offers significant reductions in fuel
consumption and CO2, NOx and particulate emissions,
at no cost to performance.
The full hybrid system comprises a 141bhp (105kW)
electric motor and a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve
DOHC Atkinson cycle petrol engine with next-generation
D-4S fuel injection, Dual VVT-i intelligent valve timing
and a high-efficiency exhaust gas recirculation system.
KIA OPTIMA
boot lid. The new Kia Optima will be available in a choice
of up to 10 colours, including seven metallic and two
pearl finishes.
Drivers of automatic models can use Drive-Mode-Select
to choose between three driving modes: the default
Normal mode; Active ECO mode, which enhances fuel
economy; and Sport mode, which delivers more immediate
engine response and increases the weight of the
steering.
The upgraded Optima is available to European consumers
with a choice of two engines carried over from the
previous model – a 2.0-litre 165 ps petrol engine and a
1.7-litre 136 ps diesel.
LEXUS
GS 300H
The engine develops 178bhp (133kW) at 6,000rpm and
221Nm of torque from 4,200 to 5,400rpm.
Drive is to the rear wheels via an electronic continuously
variable transmission (ECVT). Total system
power is 220bhp (164kW). CO2 emissions for the GS
300h will start at 109g/km – band B for UK road tax
(Vehicle Excise Duty), with combined cycle fuel consumption
from 60.1mpg.
The GS 300h F Sport will be available with additional
elements to sharpen ride and handling, including Active
Variable Suspension.
In styling terms, the GS 300h adopts the exterior design
introduced by the GS 450h in 2012, including the
prominent interpretation of the Lexus spindle grill design.
The GS 300h will be launched later this year.