Parts-bin modifying, or ‘shoehorning’ (a ‘technical’ term), is a long-established means for car manufacturers to expand their product offerings and create new performance derivatives, without incurring huge costs. Virtually all of them practices the art, some with notably greater success than others.
Stuffing an engine bay with a larger power unit can be a fruitful route for race-car manufacturers, as the performance per unit of currency ratio is usually substantial. In road car terms, models like the Golf R, 3-Series, all the way up to a Merc E63 have been formulated by dropping-in an engine from the class-up and, then, making the chassis dynamics match the enhanced potential.
For Kia, which less than five years ago seemed to have an aversion to sportier variants, the Pavlovian shift in emphasis is no longer a surprise and has become an expectation. When the enticing, large and up-market Stinger hatchback was launched last year with a 365bhp V6 petrol-turbo engine that allowed it to strike, with near shocking capability, at the heart of the performance car sector, lesser versions were promised.
Both 241bhp turbo-petrol and, more recently, 197bhp turbo-diesel variants have completed the range. Slotting the high-output petrol unit into the smaller Optima Sportswagon was a virtual given. Accompanied by a punchy 260lbs ft of torque, the all-new Optima Sportswagon GT manages the 0-60mph sprint in a cool 7.3s, before coursing all the way to a top speed of 144mph. There is a downside, in that its Official Combined fuel economy slumps to around 31mpg and the CO2 rating is a far from cool 211g/km, which equates to a first year’s road tax of £1,240, although its £33,350 price tag (prior to FCD discounts) means that subsequent years are at the standard £140 charge.
Fortunately, electronically adjustable suspension, uprated steering and brakes form part of the GT package. Levels of connectivity and driver aids have also been hiked-up to match the upwards reach of the new model. As with the Stinger sharing this engine and 6-speed automatic transmission (with paddles), the Optima Sportswagon is not a nervous, edgy performance option but delivers instead a smooth, progressive flow of power-on-tap that enables zesty, on-demand overtaking but relaxed high-speed motorway cruising.
There are additional interior trim upgrades and some exterior alterations to meet with this sporting variant’s fresh place in the new car scene. The standard alloy wheels are now 18.0-inches in diameter, clad in 235/45 section tyres for a grippier footprint on 10mm lower suspension. Twin exhaust outlets also point at the performance potential. A new red and black leather interior trim, complete with GT logos stitched into the backrests of more heavily bolstered seats support comfort aspirations, while the in-car entertainment is improved with the inclusion of a 490W Harmon Kardon eight-speaker stereo and a new ‘touch-screen’ interface.
