The body structure has been strengthened with hidden reinforced steel tubes to retain the rigidity usually lost in convertible models. The 245-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the same one found in the production model, but Kia has bolted on a high-performance exhaust.
Inside, front and rear off-white leather bucket seats provide room for four sunbathers. The rear seats are separated by extended armrests and a custom center console.
As with many custom cars found at SEMA, don’t expect to see the A1A Optima go into production anytime soon, if at all. Some design elements may make it into future models, but the vehicles themselves are mostly one-offs. You can look for new variants of the Optima, however. At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Kia announced that it will be expanding the Optima lineup to include a station wagon and plug-in hybrid.
Kia has already teased other SEMA-bound vehicles, including the Forte Koup Mud Bogger concept and the Pacwest Adventure Sorento. The latter is described as a “tough, off-road utility vehicle equipped with custom suspension, snorkel intake system and a paint scheme inspired by the lush forests of the region.” Kia plans to unveil a total of six vehicles at SEMA on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
