2019 Kia Optima (2018 Kia K5) spied completely undisguised

Now, a new spy shot has surfaced on the web clearly revealing the car's front-end, courtesy Motorgraph.

The 2019 Kia Optima features a new radiator grille quite similar to the latest Kia Cadenza (Kia K7)'s "Intaglio" grille with vertically oriented, faceted blades. Its headlamps consist of new squarish beams for a sharper look, remodeled bumper, revised lower air intake and new fog lamps. The current model is available with two different front fascias. The facelifted model is said to sell in only one design.

Kia offers the pre-facelift Kia Optima with 178 hp (180.54 PS) 1.6-litre T-GDi, 154 PS/157 PS 2.0-litre MPi, 168 PS 2.0-litre CVVL, 245 PS 2.0-litre T-GDI, 171 PS/178 PS 2.0-litre MPi and 188 PS 2.4-litre GDi petrol, 153 PS 2.0-litre LPG-petrol and 141 PS 1.7-litre CRDi diesel engines. 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic are the transmission choices. Along with upgrades to some of the engines, Kia is expected to introduce a new 8-speed automatic transmission with the mid-cycle refresh.

Kia is expected to launch the new Kia Optima (Kia K5) in South Korea first this year, followed by other markets subsequently.