Kia Canada and Toronto FC (TFC) mark their second annual customized vehicle build with seven-time Canadian award-winning Optima

Fully customized Kia Optima SX embodies the athleticism of Kia's vehicle line up and TFC

Toronto FC alumni to make guest appearance on Family Day at Kia display

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The award-winning 2012 Kia Optima premiered a one-of-a-kind vehicle at the 2012 Canadian International Auto Show with the unveiling of the Toronto FC Special Edition vehicle. Toronto FC alumni pulled the silk off the special edition Optima that will catch the eye of both soccer fans and car enthusiasts at the 2012 Toronto Auto Show. In a collaborative effort between Kia Canada and the Toronto FC, the vehicle exudes an athletic design that embodies the two organizations similar goal of competing to win.

"The customized Toronto FC Optima is a vehicle specifically designed to commemorate the on-going spirit of our partnership since 2007," said Robert Staffieri, Director of Marketing for Kia Canada Inc. "The Optima has been recognized with numerous highly respected Canadian awards this year, and with its competitive spirit it was a natural choice to celebrate with our long term partnership with the Toronto FC."

Kia Canada Inc. is the official vehicle sponsor of all three Canadian Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. In addition to Toronto FC, Kia Canada is also partnered with the Vancouver Whitecaps and most recently, the Montreal Impact.

"Toronto FC and Kia are committed to creating unique and exciting opportunities for Toronto FC fans," said David Hopkinson, senior vice-president, business partnerships, MLSE. "This one of a kind Optima is a great example of what two engaged partners working together can accomplish."

The Optima mid-size sedan has been the honoured recipient of seven Canadian awards since arriving in showrooms in April 2011. Most recently, the Optima was named the Motoring TV "Car of the Year" - a milestone in the automotive industry, as Kia is the first manufacturer to win back-to-back "Car of the Year" titles from Motoring TV - with the Sportage Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV) the previous year. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) awarded the Optima the "Best New Family Car Under $30,000" and "Best New Family Car Over $30,000". The Optima won numerous other awards in Canada such as: Motoring TV's "Best New Family Car", Auto123's Mid-Size Car of the Year, L'Annuel de l'automobile 2012's "Best New Vehicle" of the year and the Canadian Automotive Jury has named it a "Best of the Best" finalist.

The Optima TFC Special Edition vehicle will be present at select 2012 Toronto FC home games at BMO Field and will also be used at a variety of promotional events and venues throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

On Monday February 20th (Family Day), Toronto FC alumni Jimmy Brennan and Danny Dichio will be present in the Kia pavilion for two autograph sessions. The sessions will take place from 11:30am - 1:00pm, and again from 2:30pm - 4:00pm. In addition to autographs, instant prizes and select Toronto FC gifts will be given away to guests at the Kia Canada display located in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building.

The Optima TFC Special Edition vehicle was specifically designed and crafted with close attention to details in order to showcase both brands in their highest forms. Three areas of the vehicle were individually designed, which allowed for the common theme that envelopes the vehicle - exterior, interior and engine bay.

2012 Kia Optima SX Toronto FC Special Edition

Exterior

Custom matte black paint

Custom gloss black hood, roof and trunk

Custom gloss black hexagon pattern with matte black TFC logo on the sides of the vehicle

Custom gloss red accents along windows, front grille, front fender, fog lights and trunk line

Hand painted pin stripe details

TFC badge on the grille

Custom Optima Toronto FC badge on rear of vehicle





Interior

Custom Toronto FC leather seats

Custom Toronto FC logo embroidered head rests

Custom Toronto FC logo floor mats

Custom Toronto FC logo embossed on centre armrest

Custom Toronto FC branded gear shifter

Custom red stitching and piping throughout

Customized machined brake and gas pedals with Toronto FC branding





Wheels/Rims/Suspension/Brakes/Engine Bay

18-inch rims and tires

Toronto FC logo on wheel centre caps

Customized brake caliper covers feature the Toronto FC logo

Custom painted Toronto FC logo engine cover





Sound System

Toronto FC logo on speaker covers

Stock Infinity sound system





2012 Kia Optima

Starting at $21,995, the 2012 Optima projects a high-performance yet elegant image with its unique silhouette and sleek stance that builds upon Kia Motors' philosophy of creating high quality and dynamic vehicles that evoke passion. The striking face of Optima features Kia's signature family grille that is surrounded by projector headlamps. Longer, wider and lower than before, Optima's coupe-like profile is enhanced by a sweeping chrome arc that flows from the A through C pillars, a distinctive design motif that visually lowers the car further and enhances its proportions. Optima's roofline connects with its high and pronounced shoulder line that leads to its sculpted flanks and extended wheelbase. Boldly flared wheel arches and a raked cabin create a sedan with a graceful muscular stance.

The Optima is the first Korean-built vehicle to achieve the highest safety rating under new, more stringent government guidelines by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The 2012 Optima is also recognized as a 'Top Safety Pick' by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard equipment on the Optima includes six airbags (dual advanced front and front-seat mounted side as well as full-length side curtain), anti-whiplash front active headrests, side-impact door beams, height-adjustable front seatbelts with pre-tensioners, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH), four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), a Vehicle Stability Management system (VSM), a Brake Assist System (BAS) and Hill Assist Control (HAC).

Available in 10 trim variations - LX, LX+, EX, EX Turbo, EX+, EX Turbo+, EX Luxury, SX, Hybrid, Hybrid Premium - the Optima is sure to offer a vehicle that suits your needs. The 2012 Optima offers consumers the choice of three different powertrains, with a 2.4-litre Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) on the LX, LX+, EX, EX+ and EX Luxury trims. The 2.4-litre GDI offers consumer the elusive combination of power and impressive fuel efficiency, achieving class-leading1 200 horsepower while also maintaining fuel economy ratings of 8.7 L / 100 km in the city and 5.7 L / 100 km on the highway2. The SX and EX Turbo trims offers Kia's 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged GDI engine, which produces the power of a V6 engine, while providing the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. Operating on regular grade fuel, the engine produces 274 horsepower and 269 foot pounds of torque, while still maintaining impressive fuel economy figures at 5.8 L / 100 km on the highway and 9.2 L / 100 km while driving in the city. The Optima also offers an even greener option, with the Hybrid trims. The Hybrid offers a 2.4-litre engine that runs on an Atkinson cycle, 206 combined horsepower and a "Real World" fuel economy that set a new Guinness World Record. The Hybrid variants boast a 4.9 L / 100 km highway rating and a 5.6 L / 100 km city rating. With 10 available trims and three different powertrain options, there is an Optima for any type of driver.

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Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) in Korea, was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte and Sorento through a network of 174 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 147 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada. Kia Motors Corporation continues to showcase the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation

1 When compared to other non-turbo, non-hybrid mid-size vehicles.

2 Fuel economy rating of 5.7 L/100 km on the highway specific to manual transmission LX, Optima trims equipped with the 2.4L automatic transmission achieve 5.8L / 100 km.