European specification of 2016 Kia Optima is available on the Web!

See the first official pictures of the 2016 Kia Optima developed specially for Europe.

It is not the same as the American-spec variant that was introduced this April at the Auto Show held in New York. Different front and rear bumpers of the offering prove it. Moreover, the model has a little bit different graphics for its lighting clusters.

AutoBlog.nl writes that it will be possible to obtain the new Optima with a 1.7-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine. This engine can generate 141 hp (or 104 kW) and torque of 340 Nm (or 251 lb-ft). The power is passed to the front wheels with the help of the regular six-speed manual gearbox. There also will be an optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Earlier it was known that a hotter Optima GT will be available too. It will probably be equipped with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine. This one produces 247 hp (or 184 kW) and torque of 352 Nm (or 260 lb-ft) in the US-spec Optima SX.

Kia has already ruined all hopes for a wagon variant derived from the Sportrace concept. The automaker is sure that it would overlap with the Sorento SUV.

An official debut of the Euro-spec Optima is scheduled to happen very soon. Its public presentation will occur at the Motor Show in Frankfurt this September. As to its sales, they will start before the end of 2015.