Now over in America, the land of burgers, french fries and Donald Trump, the 2017 Kia Optima, has earned the highest designation possible – Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) – from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for vehicles built after March 2017 when equipped with optional front crash prevention and LED headlights with High Beam Assist. This is also the equipment specified in the Malaysian version of the recently launched Kia Optima GT, the only variant of the all-new Optima sold here at the moment.
The rating reflects top scores in each of five crashworthiness tests as well as the integration of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for crash prevention and new headlamp testing standards which were introduced this year. Aside from earning “good” crashworthiness ratings and a superior rating for the optional front-crash prevention system, the 2017 Optima achieved a “good” rating in IIHS headlamp testing. These are new stringent tests that the Americans have now put on to all cars sold in the United States of America.
Speaking of America, they get the Optima LX, LX 1.6T, EX, SX and SXL as well as a smaller 1.6liter GDI turbocharged engine. We get one variant with a 242ps 350Nm 2.0liter engine in GT spec for slightly under RM180,000. Very much a niche marketing move as no other D segment car has this much of performance oozing out from their tailpipes.
Good value considering how much fun you can get compared to other D segment cars sold here for about the same price.
PRESS RELEASE
2017 KIA OPTIMA RECEIVES TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS
RATING FROM THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR
HIGHWAY SAFETY
IRVINE, Calif., June 1, 2017 – Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling sedan, the
2017 Optima, has earned the highest designation possible – Top Safety Pick Plus
(TSP+) – from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for vehicles built
after March 2017 when equipped with optional front crash prevention and LED
headlights with High Beam Assist. The rating reflects top scores in each of five
crashworthiness tests as well as the integration of Autonomous Emergency Braking
(AEB) 1 for crash prevention and new headlamp testing standards which were
introduced this year. Aside from earning “good” crashworthiness ratings and a
superior rating for the optional front-crash prevention system, the 2017 Optima
achieved a “good” rating in IIHS headlamp testing 2 .
“The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety sets some of the highest standards
when it comes to evaluating vehicle safety, and the Top Safety Pick Plus designation
is a significant achievement that substantiates Kia’s ongoing effort to improve the
quality and integrity of our world-class model line,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president,
product planning, KMA. “We are pleased that the Optima received strong ratings
across all of IIHS’ rigorous testing, validating the high priority we place on safety for
our customers.”
To qualify for TSP+, the IIHS testing parameters require each vehicle to earn “good”
ratings in five crashworthiness tests – small overlap front, moderate overlap front,
side impact, roof strength and head restraints – as well as an “advanced” or
“superior” rating for front crash prevention and an “acceptable” or “good” rating in
headlight testing.
The 2017 Optima offers a suite of available driver assistance systems 3 such
Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), 3 Blind Spot Detection (BSD) 3 with Lane
Change Assist, 3 Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 3 Rear Parking Assist System
(RPAS), 3 Front Collision Warning System (FCWS), 3 Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS) 3 and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) 3 .
About the 2017 Optima
Conceived under the watchful eye of Kia’s president and chief design officer, Peter
Schreyer, with modern and instantly recognizable design cues, the Optima exudes
an athletic and sophisticated identity. Available with three engine choices, including a
new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to a seven-speed Dual Clutch
Transmission (DCT), the Optima is highly confident on the road. The Optima’s cabin
features an impressive level of craftsmanship that comes standard across five trim
levels – LX, LX 1.6T, EX, SX and SXL.
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