Since 1953, the annual iF Design Award has become one of the world’s most important prizes for excellence in design. The award has its origins in the ‘Formgerechte Industrieerzeugnisse’ (Good Industrial Design) product shows initiated by Germany’s Hannover Messe, and is now one of the world’s largest and most prestigious design competitions.
 

In 2016, companies from 53 countries participated in the iF Design Awards, submitting a total of 5,295 new designs. The Kia Optima and Sportage are the latest designs from the Korean carmaker to bag these prestigious awards. Making 2016 the seventh time Kia has bagged the coveted prize. 
 

Starting with the Kia Optima saloon, which heralded a new-age of Kia’s design led transformation when it went on sale in 2010 – remains impressive six years on for its modern design and sharp styling cues, lean silhouette and bold stance. The spacious and well-equipped interior fortifies this claim further. 

With the latest generation of the Kia Sportage, KIA new take on the compact SUV design woved the panel of judges with its bold new exterior design and sleek proportions. The extensively redesigned interior mixes high-quality materials and finish with practical connectivity and safety features. The new GT Line, for the first time now offers customers who require a more dynamic driving experience.   
 

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia Motors UK commented: “We are delighted to accept these awards for the all-new Kia Sportage and Optima as proof of our design teams’ consistent efforts to develop prize-winning designs. The new Sportage features a distinctive new face, and the elegant Optima saloon highlights other, different facets of Kia’s design. These are important flagship models for us, clearly demonstrating the design-led transformation of the Kia model range in recent years.”
ARVIND KUMAR