Here’s yet another great concept interior from Kia. Sparse, technical with a unique brand of military-grade coolness. It’s also another example of how beautifully-crafted, physical controls are becoming items of jewellery in today’s pared-back digital interior landscapes.

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Black anodised and knurled metal switches control everything from the transmission to the windows, all of which is lifted out of the realms of bunker-like depression by silver silk IP and centre console coverings and patent leather seats punctuated by a series of square details.

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Its exterior is also initially impressive, yet remove the show car glitz and it’s clear the platform this thinly-veiled Optima replacement is built on is compromised in terms of proportions, with long, ungainly overhangs and a high, bulbous nose. There’s also a lack of confidence in the application of Kia’s brand graphics – the lamps and grille appear to have lost a lot of their identity as they become a rather abstract shape applied to the mask surface rather than fully integrating into the form.

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Hopefully Kia will finally be able to push through some of its superb advanced interior design through to production, otherwise the next Optima may well be destined to be a rather underwhelming proposition.

Owen Ready