Performance Review: KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

KIA Optima Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular KIA Optima has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Optima shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Optima's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1535 kgs (3384 lbs) this makes the KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The KIA Optima shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 274 bhp (204 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 269 lb-ft (364.7 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the KIA Optima you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback (203.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the KIA Optima.

The KIA Optima has a Power to weight ratio of 178.5 bhp per ton and 175.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 Optima competing with the 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback (203.3 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion DSG 2.0 Turbo (203.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the KIA Optima generating around 175.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 350 (200.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (200.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Optima and the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible

When talking about the performance of the KIA Optima on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.4 secs @ 95.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible (14.33 secs), the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), and the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 Optima equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 KIA Optima 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2011 Optima Rivals List.

A Brief History of KIA

Car Comparison