Wow, is that an Alfa Brera with a new body kit?
Um, no, believe it or not this is the new Kia Optima.
*spits out pancake in surprise*
Indeed. Well, in fairness, it's actually the Kia Sportspace concept, but it's a pretty large hint at what the new Optima will look like and the omens for Kia's big saloon becoming a bigger player in the family car market are good.
How so?
Well, the current Optima - pleasant car though it is - has always felt a bit half-hearted in a European sense. It has quite high emissions and very American style chassis settings. If the Sportspace concept is anything to go by, the next Optima will both look an awful lot sharper and crucially for the European and UK market, come with an estate option, something the current model lacks.
Kia is telling us nothing about what's under the skin (although it's a safe bet there's a hybrid drivetrain under there, probably the 1.6 four-wheel drive hybrid from the recent Trail'ster concept), but we'll get a proper look during the Geneva Motor Show.
"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," explains Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Kia Europe.
Neil Briscoe - 17 Feb 2015