Kia Lotze, known also as Kia Optima overseas, has received a mid-cycle technical makeover. Improvements implemented in a midsized sedan will strengthen it’s position on the market and intensify ability to compete against established contenders in the mid-size class.
The new Lotze has been equipped with new Theta II engine developed by Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group. This is the same engine used in Sonata Transform, a facelifted version of Hyundai Sonata that went on sale in South Korea last month.
This is the first Kia adopting Theta II engine which delivers more horsepower and sportier performance but not at the expence of fuel economy! Indeed, the revised engines boast improved milage and lower emissions.
The performance improvements have been realized through the addition of a variable induction system to improve engine breathing and a variable valve timing system for both the exhaust and intake ports.
November 28th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
both engines have dual-vvt but in the sonata transform, the 2.0 engine have 161ps and the 2.4 have 179hp.
November 28th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
the korean spec’s
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3642/scr331e7eb3nd2.jpg
all are of the lotze advance
November 29th, 2007 at 2:31 am
AHHHHHHHH!!!! They Ford Fusionated it! I cannot stand the solid plastic “Chrome” grille. the taillights are too “Sonotaey” But other than that it forms the distinct shape of the last optima. I like the previous taillights better.
November 29th, 2007 at 3:57 am
this is the same optima you have. Its called Lotze advanced in Korea where it comes with that chrome grille. and engine change doesnt look like it has been redesigned.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:04 am
I hope the chrome grille doesn’t come over here. Can’t stand that fake chrome. The taillights I like better in the small cirles like our car has.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:12 am
but instead of red borders around those circles, red LEDs would look better.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:28 am
If Kia is making the spectra HB their international cee’d HB then the cee’d SW should come as a Optima SW.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:01 am
I agree. The Optima would sell good as a wagon.
November 29th, 2007 at 11:04 am
MAN! those tail lights (of lotze adv.) are perfect for optima int’l. Why do they keep the good things for Korea?? But its still looks Good though (the tail lights in the int’l market). Instead of chrome couldnt they have used a body coloured grille. that chrome looks…… mis matched. They must revise that grille again.
November 29th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I like ours with the black with silver trim around it.