Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia Sportspace concept looks ahead to new model line-up

Stylish estate gives a glimpse at Kia’s future, and at what a load-lugging Optima model might look like

Kia has debuted the new Sportspace concept in a global reveal event at the Geneva Motor Show.

Designed at its Frankfurt studio under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, chief designer Europe, the Sportspace gives us a hint at what an estate version of the next-generation Optima saloon could look like.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s looking more likely that we’ll see the estate model, too, as Kia revealed that by 2018 it will have refreshed its full range of current models as well as bringing new models into new sectors.

The Sportspace would be one of those entrants into a new sector for Kia: it would be the biggest estate the company has ever produced, a title currently held by the compact Kia Cee’d estate.

An estate version of the next Optima would also help the South Korean manufacturer reach its ambitious goal of 500,000 sales in Europe by 2020.

Best estate cars to buy now

The Sportspace features Kia’s trademark tiger nose grille, clean lines, a raked back roofline, and adopts the same shooting brake rear end as seen on current Mercedes models like the CLA and CLS. Kia says the Sportspace has been designed for “fast and efficient travel with maximum comfort and minimal stress”.

Although it may look like a practical family estate, the Sportspace only has room for four, but offers a “spacious and functional” interior, according to the brand. It’s aimed at those who want to move stuff around without compromising on style.

Guillame said: “We set out to design a car that is a totally new breed of grand tourer – one for active people who need reasonable cargo space on the weekend, but don’t want to compromise moving around in style, comfort and with an element of sportiness.”

Kia confirmed to us last year that the next-generation Optima will get a reworked version of the current 1.7 CRDi diesel engine at launch. A range of turbocharged petrol engines is unlikely, we believe, but a plug-in hybrid model is thought to be on the cards, with Kia promising a class-leading electric-only range.

The Sportspace will join the refreshed Picanto city car on Kia’s stand at the Geneva Motor Show 2015.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
6 Nov 2024
Kia Tasman enters the fray against Ford Ranger in fast-growing pick-up class
Kia Tasman - front 3/4 standard

Kia Tasman enters the fray against Ford Ranger in fast-growing pick-up class

But there’s no plans to bring Kia's striking new workhorse over to the UK…
News
29 Oct 2024
Kia EV4 hatchback drops its camouflage and gets ready for the big reveal
Kia EV4 testing - front dynamic 3/4

Kia EV4 hatchback drops its camouflage and gets ready for the big reveal

The EV4 will be Kia’s all-electric family-sized hatchback
News
25 Oct 2024
Electric Kia Pride restomod promises hot hatch performance and thrills
Electric Kia Pride restomod - front static

Electric Kia Pride restomod promises hot hatch performance and thrills

Kia UK’s latest one-off turns first ever British model into an EV to celebrate special anniversary
News
7 Oct 2024

Most Popular

New Suzuki e Vitara revealed: Japanese brand’s first EV only offers 248-mile range
Suzuki e Vitara reveal - front

New Suzuki e Vitara revealed: Japanese brand’s first EV only offers 248-mile range

The compact Suzuki e Vitara electric SUV will be available with four-wheel drive, and should arrive next summer
News
4 Nov 2024
Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k
Dacia Spring Cargo - front static

Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k

The commercial version of Dacia’s cut-price Spring EV ditches the back seats to increase cargo space
News
5 Nov 2024
Bristol Cars to return as an EV-maker but there's still a place for petrol
Bristol Vision 8.0 - render

Bristol Cars to return as an EV-maker but there's still a place for petrol

Grand touring specialist could return with petrol, hybrid and fully electric cars
News
4 Nov 2024