Car : 2016 Kia Sportspace

Car : 2016 Kia Sportspace

Kia has taken the wraps off a new concept, set to debut at the Geneva motor show during the first week of March. Dubbed Sportspace, the concept is meant to preview a next-generation Kia Optima, replacing a model which has been on sale in various markets since 2010.

The Sportspace concept is a midsize station wagon with a dramatically styled D-pillar, meant to serve as a grand tourer. The design of the front fascia is an evolution of Kia's "tiger nose" grille, while the rear section has a distinctly Italian look to it -- it doesn't take much squinting to see an Alfa Romeo shield in place of the Kia badge on the rear hatch. The Sportspace concept was developed at Kia's Frankfurt design studio, previewing a body style still very popular in Europe.

"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," said Gregory Guillaume, chief designer of Kia Europe.

The current Kia Optima is not offered as a station wagon in other markets, so we'll have to wait and see whether the company will make a choice to expand the range. Right now Kia's stateside lineup lacks what we would consider a station wagon in the classic sense, unless one counts the five-door Forte5.

The next-generation Optima is expected to debut late in 2015 as a 2016 model year sedan.

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Sources : Kia Sportspace Photo | Kia Sportspace Article