The 2016 Super Bowl 50 is just around the corner, and football fans across the country are gearing up for the largest televised sporting event in the world. With so much at stake, you would think that the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos were the only ones who had something to be nervous about, but you would be wrong.
Notorious for airing the best commercials of the entire year, the Super Bowl is watched by people who don’t even like football, but who don’t want to miss out on the new advertising campaigns. One of the biggest spenders in commercial air time during the Super Bowl is the automotive industry. For that reason alone, this Kia dealer in Miami is anxiously awaiting to see what the automotive giants will come up with for the big 50th game.
Kia Lives Up to its Advertising Hype
Kia is one of those vehicle manufacturers that is known for its thoughtful, witty, and ultimately unique commercials. From rapping hamsters, to a replication of The Matrix movie trilogy, Kia knows how to keep their commercials fresh and interesting. When the automotive giant announced that the Optima would be redesigned for 2016, fans of the car brand held out hope that one of the $4.4 million dollar Super Bowl commercial spots would belong to Kia. That hope was not for nothing, and Kia’s new commercial teaser promises advertising greatness.
Kia’s Super Bowl Ad Features Christopher Walken
Kia is not the only company that is sending out sneak peeks of their Super Bowl ads. Anheuser-Busch and InBev are also providing glimpses into their highly anticipated commercials, which have served to create even more excitement surrounding the big game.
Kia’s 60-second commercial spot features Christopher Walken, a famous movie and television actor known for his uncanny comedic timing. Kia takes advantage of Walken’s name, and uses it in the title of the commercial, “Walken Closet.” In the 17-second teaser clip, audiences see Walken sitting in a large walk-in closet holding a pair of socks. He delivers a single line before the clip ends, leaving everyone wanting more.
As genius as Kia is at advertising, we are sure that this little piece of commercial was designed to keep us guessing, and it sure has done just that. Super Bowl 50 airs February 10, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the 43-seconds in the “Walken Closet” commercial hold.
Until then, we will just have to check out the newly redesigned Kia Optima while we wait.
The Redesigned 2016 Kia Optima Fuses Affordability and Luxury
The Optima first appeared in the Kia lineup in 2000 as a four-door midsize sedan. With three generations of strong sales and popularity under its belt, the Kia Optima enters into its fourth generation for the 2016 model year. Featuring a complete redesign and plenty of changes in nearly every area of the sedan, this Optima is our favorite so far. Let’s take a peek at some of the changes that the new Optima received for its latest model year, and how these alterations are keeping the Optima ahead of the competition.
Major Changes to the 2016 Optima
The most striking difference in the new Optima model is the redesigned front and rear fascias on the sedan. Featuring Kia’s now-signature Tiger Nose grille, the Optima appears to be more substantial, with a much wider stance and presence on the road. The front headlights on the 2016 Optima feature the swept back look, and drivers can now opt for bi-xenon High Intensity Discharge lights, High Beam Assist, and Dynamic Bending Light technology. Completing the updated exterior appearance is a lower and longer roofline, larger side windows, and more substantial tail lights.
Much of the improvements made to the new Optima consist of what is unseen.The sedan features a body that is 150-percent stiffer than the outgoing model year, which decreases road noise, hardness, and vibration. The stiffer engine mounts, wheels, and body panels also serve to improve the overall handling of the Optima. Overall riding comfort has increased dramatically thanks in large part to these big changes that are unseen by the naked eye.
Inside of the new Optima’s cabin, the seating material has been upgraded for a more comfortable, denser foam. Offering more support than before, the interior seating of the 2016 Optima can be outfitted with YES Essentials premium stain resistant cloth, sport leather upholstery, or premium quilted Nappa leather.
Also new for the 2016 model year, is a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Making 178 horsepower, this four-cylinder engine is paired with a responsive seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the first of its kind in the entire Kia lineup.
New Trim Levels Added
Kia added an entire new trim level to the redesigned Optima’s lineup, called the LX. This base model features the 2.4-liter standard engine which gets up to 37 miles per gallon on the highway. Starting at just $21,990, this base 2016 Optima sedan comes standard with Projector Beam Headlights, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel column, rear camera display, and a keyless entry system.
Also new is the LX 1.6T Optima trim level, which starts at $23,990. Adding the new 1.6-liter turbocharged engine to the Optima, this trim also adds Smart Trunk technology, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, a Push Button Start with Smart Key and Immobilizer, and Kia’s Smart Welcome technology.
New Optima Offers High End Luxury Without the High End Price Tag
More and more automotive manufacturers are offering luxury versions of their vehicles, allowing more people the chance to afford high-end appointments in their sedans. Kia does this very well with the new Optima SX Limited model.
Starting at $35,890, the 2016 Optima SX Limited tops the pricing scale for this Kia model, but includes plenty of standard amenities. Featuring all of the same standard fare that the LX models include, the Optima LX Limited sedan also offers luxury refinement around every turn. A panoramic sunroof with a power sunshade offers even more luxury convenience, and turns the new Optima into a blissful retreat.
Featuring a dual-zone automatic temperature control, a 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, rear door window shades, and heated rear seats – this Optima model is guaranteed to keep you and all of your passengers comfortable and content. The included Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge headlights, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, and the Surround View Safety system, will help keep your focus on the road and everyone in your Optima safe.
Staying Ahead of the Competition
The new 2016 Kia Optima outdoes the competition in every area that matters. The base Optima LX model includes Satellite Radio standard, while the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord leave it out entirely. The new Optima also carries the lowest starting MSRP, which is $1,000 less than the next least expensive competitor. The base Optima includes fog lamps as standard, while all of the other competitors don’t even offer it as an option.
Essentially, if you want a high quality sedan that includes important standard features for a low price, the 2016 Kia Optima has you covered – and it also has Christopher Walken.
