Kia Wants to Know: Do You Want an Optima Diesel?

[Swallow Doretti]

Normally, a blog post like this is something I'd ignore, except it was posted to Kia's official Facebook page with the question, "Well, are you interested, punk?"*

http://efficientautomobile.com/2013-...iesel-for-usa/

Rule #1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyARF...layer_embedded

*They may have left the "punk" part off.

Feel free to leave feedback here:

https://www.facebook.com/kiamotorspr?ref=ts

[VarianceVQ]

Not really, no.

Given the MPG Mazda (and potentially Ford and Nissan) can squeeze out of normal, non-hybrid gasoline engines these days, diesel just seems like something you really have to want.

I assume it would be the 1.7L they offer in the UK market?

I don't know how these consumption figures would translate over here...

http://www.kia.co.uk/new-cars/range/...ification.aspx

[6cylVWguy]

I don't really know. Kia isn't a company I typically associate with diesel tech, but the more powerful of the two engines might be interesting. Personally, I'd rather see a small diesel in a small/medium truck or SUV.

[firstorbit84]

I'd rock it. Coupe sounds interesting. Manual would be preferred.

However a small diesel would go better in their crossover SUV, like the sorento or the sportage

[mike02467]

the only optima I want is a turbo six speed. And for some reason I don't think that even exists..

[hardcore4life]

no because car buyer

[pho]

the only optima I want is a turbo six speed. And for some reason I don't think that even exists..

Yes, I would rock an Optima diesel.

[MrRline]

I would say bring it to the US, but there are two reasons you shouldn't.

1. People are gas conscious and seeing diesel fuel the same price as premium will scare buyers
2. People don't understand about clean diesels and that they don't puff huge jets of smoke out like older cars.

Till these problems are solved I say don't risk bringing something to market that will most likely be priced out of the range for most buyers.

[firstorbit84]

I would say bring it to the US, but there are two reasons you shouldn't.

1. People are gas conscious and seeing diesel fuel the same price as premium will scare buyers
2. People don't understand about clean diesels and that they don't puff huge jets of smoke out like older cars.

Till these problems are solved I say don't risk bringing something to market that will most likely be priced out of the range for most buyers.

These issues will never be fixed if manufacturers don't ever bring out new diesel models to the US market. Its like a positive feedback loop.

[Buzzkill]

No, I want a turbo charged Elantra hatchback.

[kraut_pauer79]

Why the hell not? If it's truly competitive in power, refinement and efficiency, I say go for it. If it were a great product, I'd rock one. As usual, it would likely undercut VW and anyone else in price.

[kraut_pauer79]

These issues will never be fixed if manufacturers don't ever bring out new diesel models to the US market. Its like a positive feedback loop.

maybe it's wishful thinking, but I was thinking this exact thing. As long as it is an excellent, competitive diesel engine, then maybe Kia could play a part in diesel awareness for north America? Advertising an already brisk-selling, extremely stylish, value-packed and reasonably priced car with 45+ mpg certainly can't hurt a brand, and could possibly be a stepping stone in growing an ever-bigger US diesel fanbase.

[leaftye]

If I wanted an Optima, I could see being interested in the diesel version.

[koko12]

Kia Should absolutely bring over their diesels, but if they really want to make a statement they should offer their 2.2 diesel which makes 200 hp and over 300 lb/ft of torque in cars like the Optima and Sportage and offer the 1.7 diesel in their smaller vehicles. Hell Even the Genesis Coupe with the 2.2 diesel would be a really enticing vehicle.

After what Kia and Hyundai have been doing I would not be surprised if the catch everyone else with their pants down and actually bring over the diesel power vehicles that every other manufacturer is supposed to bring but somehow every year they are 2 to 3 years away.

[l88m22vette]

A Kia Sportage diesel would be awesome, I'd be much more interested in a small SUV with diesel potential and mileage than a sedan. Also, with Kia's momentum/attention right now, there could be a breakout in small SUV/truck diesels if the Sportage oilburner sold well

[flytech78]

with prices as high as they are going its the future, i dont see how any car company can live with out a diesel in there lineup....... but that said i would not drive a kia if they paid me for gas......

[feels_road]

I wouldn't be interested - but that's just because I don't buy sedans. I'd be interested in a wagon version or decently-sized CUV - especially with a 2.2 Diesel or similar.

Does anyone know if these engines are still related to the Mercedes-Benz units Kia used to put in?

I assume it would be the 1.7L they offer in the UK market?

I don't know how these consumption figures would translate over here...

Usually, taking the Euro mixed cycle and comparing it to the EPA highway gives a good indication. The MT gets 4.9 l/100km or 48 US mpg; the AT 6.0 l/100km --> 39 mpg. So, the MT is pretty good - but with 134 hp that engine may be considered slightly underpowered in the US (for comparison, VW TDIs are typically dynoed 140hp at the wheels).

I would say bring it to the US, but there are two reasons you shouldn't.

1. People are gas conscious and seeing diesel fuel the same price as premium will scare buyers

That depends on where you live. Here, in the East Bay, Diesel is currently about the same as regular (actually 2 cents cheaper than regular at my "gas" station).

[eunos94]

I'll be brutally honest and say that I think this would be a major sales dud. Americans expect diesel funkiness to be on offer by the Germans, in fact many actually desire a diesel option but those same people will scuff at a Korean or Japanese offering because those technologically driven folks (stereotype) are expected to come up with some mind numbingly complicated yet brilliantly simple electronic solution to all of life's problems.

This is why Japanese Hybrids sell while the German/American ones flounder and Volkswagen sells every TDI they can produce even when cheaper and more efficient solutions are available even sometimes from the same manufacturer.

Long story short (HA) I feel that Kia (Korean not Japanese but the same thing to most people) will absolutely fail with a diesel even though I would strongly (bears repeating) S T R O N G L Y consider buying a reasonably priced Kia/Hyundai diesel. I just don't think anyone outside TCL would.

[RogueTDI]

Im not in the market for a midsize car, let alone a diesel one. However, considering the positive feedback and response to the new Passat TDI, Id probably be strongly interested in a diesel midsize, Optima or otherwise. People are raving - 40mpg in mixed driving not uncommon. Thats substantial.

Btw, 134hp from 1.7L is great! Unless thats crank power...

[tedismynickname]

if TCL approves and people say they will buy it, more than likely, actually inevitably, they won't

saturn astra 3dr

[RogueTDI]

I would say bring it to the US, but there are two reasons you shouldn't.

1. People are gas conscious and seeing diesel fuel the same price as premium will scare buyers
2. People don't understand about clean diesels and that they don't puff huge jets of smoke out like older cars.

Till these problems are solved I say don't risk bringing something to market that will most likely be priced out of the range for most buyers.

On the one hand, hard to think people are that stoopid. On the other, i know they are. Frankly, facts dont matter to such twits. Only marketing hype will work...

[zhenya00]

if TCL approves and people say they will buy it, more than likely, actually inevitably, they won't

saturn astra 3dr

I'm only interested if its 6sp manual with awd.

[feels_road]

Btw, 134hp from 1.7L is great! Unless thats crank power...

Not sure anyone would think it's not crank power, and perhaps barely that.

[MidnightSpecial]

Absolutely not. Get us a manual for the turbo first.

[Egz]

I say bring it. We need more diesels to bring the cost of diesels down. I'm tired of seeing the sick premiums they carry.

[masa8888]

It would be cool, but from a strategic point of view, they should focus on improving their hybrid technology to match or exceed Toyota's.

[ti.pilot]

No. I do not want a diesel Optima.

What do want from Kia is a RWD coupe based off a shortened Genesis chassis that gets 30MPG and seats 2+2.

[Turbio!]

I say bring it. We need more diesels to bring the cost of diesels down. I'm tired of seeing the sick premiums they carry.

A certain amount of that is inherent to the technology. Turbos, DI, EGR, AdBlue, particulate traps, emissions certification and special cats do not come cheap.

Personally, I'd love to see a diesel Sportage or Sorento and would prefer to see that over an Optima, but I'm among the few that would actually put real money down to buy one at the premium they'd command over a regular one. I dunno.

[clutchrider]

Do You Want an Optima Diesel?

NO! I wanted a 6 speed "row-your-own" Optima SX loaded.

[Turbio!]

The general indifference to a diesel car that's not from a German manufacturer is interesting. Kind of amusing, really.

[x_GTI_x]

i dont want a Kia anything, so no.

[cryption]

I vote yes, anything that will encourage more manufacturers to bring diesel engines to the US is awesome in my book

[Shomegrown]

The general indifference to a diesel car that's not from a German manufacturer is interesting. Kind of amusing, really.

Kind of like the indifference to a pickup truck that isn't American? Why mess with what works?

[SSLByron]

Kind of like the indifference to a pickup truck that isn't American? Why mess with what works?

Plenty of Taco-humpers around here.

[Shomegrown]

Plenty of Taco-humpers around here.

...but overall sales show they're largely irrelevant in the pickup truck game. (Despite the fact the Taco is superior to any midsizer Detroit has ever put out)