The Star: August 03, 2017

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday August 3 2017 35
Driven
Turbo punch for
sporty Kia Optima
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• By Ross Kiddie
IT’S CARS such as the Kia
Optima that we are going
to see a lot more of on Kiwi
roads when the Australian
motor vehicle manufacturing
industry shuts down at
the end of this year.
The Optima is a large
four-door sedan which has
already proven its worth
here in New Zealand and
stands out for its clean,
bold coupe-like styling and
large car attitude, especially
with the amount of
onboard space it offers.
If it is just the need for
extra pizzaz that’s standing
between you and buying
the Optima – now is your
chance to pick up a GT
version – although you’d
better be quick, for the
turbocharged 2-litre model
is only available in limited
numbers.
Yes, instead of getting the
2.4-litre engine of its stablemates,
the GT gets a 1998cc
turbo unit which is rated
with a healthy 180kW and
350Nm. The four-cylinder
engine is a smart piece of
kit, not only does it give
solid boost for lively performance
– 0-100km/h in
7.4sec and a 240km/h top
speed – the engine is also
rated with an 8.5l/100km
(33mpg) combined cycle
fuel usage average.
These are healthy figures
all round and result in solid
overall performance. If
you are a driver who likes
to hear what an engine is
doing, Kia has also manufactured
engine sound so
that an angry howl enters
the cockpit when it is getting
a bit of a workout.
There are times when I
think that sound doesn’t
need to be so audible, such
as when battling the city
street traffic, but it is quite
melodic when the high
country back roads beckon.
On a filthy late June
weekend I took the test
car on a run up to Terrace
Downs. The roads were
drenched, so I was quite
circumspect as to how
KIA OPTIMA GT: True touring car.
quickly I pushed the evaluation
car. Nevertheless, I’m
of the opinion the Optima
is worthy of a GT badge, it
covers ground quickly and
handles with much dignity.
The GT variant rides
on high quality Michelin
Pilot tyres and they have
a wide footprint at 235/45
x 18in. Given its familycar
dynamics, the Optima
in this form steers with
directional accuracy greater
than I was expecting, and
it has suspension control
which is still well biased
towards comfort.
• Price – Kia Optima
GT, $53,990
• Dimensions –
Length, 4855mm;
width, 1860mm;
height, 1465mm
• Configuration –
Four-cylinder, frontwheel-drive,
1998cc,
180kW, 350Nm, sixspeed
automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 7.4sec
• Fuel usage –
8.5l/100km
However, at just under
1.5m tall, the Optima sits
low on the road and isn’t
bothered by directional
change. Gravitational force
doesn’t load the suspension
and that is the bonus of a
fully independent set-up.
Drive is directed through
to the front wheels, but
there’s a neutrality associated
with the way the GT
handles; I’m not saying it
has the perfect feel but it
has been engineered so that
LOADED: The Kia Optima GT is full of specification.
the driver gets a lot of satisfaction.
That taking into account,
too, the surge of power
from the engine, which is
not blisteringly fast, but
does have a strong torque
pattern as a result of the
boost process. It feels fluid
and smooth through the
mid-range and doesn’t
lurch the transmission.
The six-speed automatic
is easily capable of handling
the power outputs
and seemingly to always
have the correct ratio
selected to enhance performance.
Since turbocharging has
become fashionable again,
I’ve written many times
how it is not so much a
way to glean performance,
but it is also a way to even
the power outputs so that
fuel burn is not wasted.
During my four days with
the test car it was showing
a constant 10.5l/100km
(26mpg) combined cycle
average along with a
7l/100km (40mpg) instantaneous
figure sitting at
a steady 100km/h cruise
(engine speed 1750rpm).
Inside, the Optima is also
a class act. It has a specification
level which would
sit well in a luxury car and
would seem amazing value
for a vehicle which lists at
just $53,990.
Major features on the GT
include full leather trim
with heated and cooling
front seats, heated steering
wheel, satellite navigation,
paddle-shift gearbox
levers, panoramic roof,
keyless entry and ignition,
radar cruise control,
and a whole alphabet soup
of safety kit which not
only looks impressive on
paper but earns a five-star
Australasian New Car
Assessment Program rating.
The Optima GT is no
pretender, it is a fine sporttourer
worthy of the badge.
If you are a buyer, be prepared
for a bit of a wait,
it needs to be placed on
indent order.
2007 Volkswagen Golf GT TSi
Popular, reliable, stylish and economical, 1400cc
tiptronic auto, cruise, all electrics, traction control,
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NZ NEW
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Inch Quality
European
2008 toyota wiSh
Auto, alloys, Abs,
twin airbags, 7 seater.
$11,990
Plus oRC $300 Cash Price $12,290
1998 mazda b2600 4x4
2.6 petrol injected, 5 speed, power
steering, good tyres, drives well,
priced to sell.
Now
$10,990
SAVE $1000
$17,999
2010 Mini Cooper Plus
1600cc auto, climate air cond, alloys, driving lights,
all electrics, traction control, alloys, great on fuel &
easy to park, loads of fun in a great little car!
2005 MaZDa aXELa
2.0 auto, alloys, Abs,
twin airbags.
$10,990
SAVE $1000
2005 Mini Cooper S
1600cc supercharged engine, Loaded with
options including full leather seats, parking
sensors, spoiler, alloys, only 85,000kms!
541 Moorhouse Ave
Christchurch
Ph 03 3799529 or 0274366076
275 Colombo St, Christchurch.
Cnr Colombo & Milton Sts. Ph: 337 9629.
Christchurch Commercials & 4x4's MVT
$16,999
2006 SuZuki Swift SPoRt
1.6, rare 5 speed, alloys, Abs,
twin airbags, body kit.
$12,990
20 Opawa Rd, Christchurch, Ph (03) 379 2675 • 361 Wilsons Rd, Christchurch, Ph (03) 982 8674
$317
pw
$8,999
2014 Range Rover Evoque
Immaculate low km example, 20” alloys, new tyres,
rev camera, parktronic, full electrics, keyless start, heated
front/rear seats, climate a/c, electric handbrake, Bluetooth,
2015 model, 9 spd paddle shift auto, Superb throughout.
$59,990
$13,999
2008 Subaru Impreza S-GT
Popular Impreza S-GT in metallic blue!!
Turbocharged with cruise control and alloys,
a stunning performance car not to be missed!!
2005 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 TFSI
Mk5 new shape, Brilliant 2.0 TFSI Turbocharged engine
blending economy and power, Factory 17 inch GTI Sports
Alloys, GTI Honeycomb front grill, Multiple Airbags, ABS/ESP,
Climate Air, Pioneer CD/Stereo/AUX, 2 Remote Keys etc. Very
popular model. Just traded and priced to sell!
NOW $11,995
NZ NEW
$117
pw
$13,999
1994 ToyoTa Hilux SR5 d/cab 4x4
2.8 litre turbo diesel, 5 speed, p/s, alloys, running boards,
canopy, snorkle, white spokes on Maxxis Bighorns, CB,
spotys, very well looked after ute, don't miss out
2005 Mercedes-Benz ML 350
Superb condition throughout, Full Black Leather
heated seats, full electrics, climate a/c, Multi air bags,
remote locking. Parktronic, cruise control. Looks great
on 18 Inch AMG Factory alloy wheels.
$21,990
2006 mazDa mpV
Large spacious 7 seater. Room for the whole
family. 2.3 litre automatic. Safety galore with
airbags, reversing camera, ISOfix. Test drive today!
$96
pw
Now
$11,990
2010 Audi A3 Sportback 1.4T FSi
Stunning facelift model, NZ New, full dealer service history.
Leather/suede interior, auto start/stop technology, DSG
paddle shift gearbox, factory alloys, parking sensors, dual zone
climate control.
$17,990
Cnr Tuam St & Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch
Ph. (03) 379 3465 Anytime, 0800 PW EURO (793876)
www.paulwallaceeuropean.com
$9,999
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee CrD Overland Diesel
1 Owner, High spec Overland model with Air Suspension,
Heated/Cooled Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Full Glass
Panoramic Roof, Privacy Glass, Push Buttton Keyless start,
Bluetooth/CD/AUX/Reverse Camera, Full Electrics etc. Full
spec, excellent economy and very popular!
NOW $44,995
NZ NEW
$26,999
2012 ToyoTa Hilux d/cab 4x4
3 litre turbo diesel, 5 speed, power
steering, 5 speed, replacement bumper,
bull bar, tidy all round truck.
$11,999
2008 HONDa INSpIre
Powerful 4 door family sedan, includes cruise control,
perfect for long road trips. 3.5 litre V6 automatic with
reversing camera. Inquire now.
538 Moorhouse Ave
Christchurch
03 366 0440
2015 mercedes benz GLa 45 amG 4matic 4WD
Just 6,000kms!, Panoramic Roof, Red Brake Calipers,
Heated/Memory Seats, Brilliant 2.0 Turbo engine
generating 265KW, AMG Leather with Red detailing,
Bluetooth Streaming/Phone, Paddleshift, Reverse Camera
etc. A great looking fun car!
NOW $69,995
511 Blenheim Road
PH 03 366 8328 A/H 022 536 0868