Kia Motors thought maybe they undersold the new SPORTSPACE concept when they first revealed it because the press didn’t react to it as enthusiastically as they had anticipated. So now they’ve come up with some fresh shots of the car, explaining in detail why Kia SPORTSPACE is something we should care more about.

Make no mistake, Kia SPORTSPACE is an important car, but only if you are an avid Kia buyer. This concept previews the next generation Optima. So from now until it becomes a production model you have time to decide whether you like it, or if you prefer the new Hyundai Genesis better.

Kia, however, says the SPORTSPACE is important because it extracts “the maximum from life at its heart.” What they mean by that is because it’s a wagon and therefore practical, it is the perfect ‘getaway’ car. But there is more to it, because the SPACE is also stylish and sophisticated.

Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe, comments: “Kia does not have a wagon in this important segment of the European market, but I was determined that we would not simply create something that conformed to tradition. This car comes from an ambition I had when I was studying design in Switzerland as a young man.

“I always had this picture in my mind of creating a vehicle that I could have used to go for a weekend’s skiing with friends before driving back for it to be displayed at the Geneva Salon. Geneva is a special show for me – it comes as winter starts to release its grip. It has a special atmosphere and a particular appeal. The ideal concept vehicle had to reflect this – and I believe the SPORTSPACE does just that!” he added.