We have been able to drive the new Kia Sportspace, a concept that anticipates the future design of Kia models. Sportiness and aesthetics in abundance are its hallmarks.

The new generation Kia Optima, which will hit dealerships in September, and has the features of the concept Kia Sportspace. And future familial variant that will come late 2016. It is the materialization of the new language of the brand that we have, exclusively, driving in the German city of Frankfurt.

Ten in the morning. Anna and Vladislav responsible for communication Kia Europe, receive me. We went down to the track area bordering the fairgrounds where the Motor Show, organized a perfect place to film a concept car. It is not registered and can not go to traffic. We walk a few meters to the meeting point. There waiting for me, with that bright red so much attention, the Kia Sportspace.

Torsten Göckeritz, general manager of planning, I suggest you first accompany him on a short tour to familiarize myself with the controls. “Of course, I say, I would not want such a delicate piece suffered the slightest setback.” With automatic transmission, the first step on the brake pedal. Press and hold the start button and finally, by light touches the gear selector lever, choose the mode: P, R, N or D. “Remember, he explains, has no power steering and no suspension and seat belts.” It is a design studio and is very limited but Who Wants amenities if price is able to drive this unique and exclusive piece! The concept has a hybrid engine (170 hp diesel-electric), the same brand showed optimal T-Hybrid, a prototype advancing the hybrid technologies futures South Korean brand.

Driving time

I feel their commanders and am comfortable in the carbon fiber seat, but I find that engineers and designers They have created the concept for German sizes. With my height 1,69 I was not even on tiptoe to the pedals. The bench does not slide and the only solution is not linger forward and back support on the seat. Release the brake pedal and the car up calls. You can not drive faster than 40 km / h at the fair for security but the Sportspace looks fun. Straight and took a sharp turn. Incredible force required to move the steering wheel. Meanwhile, in the dashboard display a myriad of data and information. All very conceptual.

The generous central display is not lost. From the driver’s seat I turn head and check amplitude Sportspace, two individual rear seats (unthinkable this configuration in the future family) and spectacular panoramic roof. The trunk is characterized by its ingenious system of balls (There are 28 in total) that rise when incorporating packages to facilitate better rolling, and return to their original position to hold the load and does not move during the journey. This solution has been ruled take time to production by the high cost involved.

So the new Kia Optima will be familiar? Not exactly the same, of course, but very similar, I noticed Gregory Guillaume, Kia Design Director Europe. Among its features, the rear window, small, the chrome line that surround the entire glass area lateral to the rear strut and the central area of ​​the grid that is the basis on which all the new brand models will settle. Can you imagine now what will it look? I do.