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.
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.
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.
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