Kia Optima Roadster A1A Concept (2015)

Kia Optima Roadster A1A Concept

Florida may be best known as one of America's most family friendly vacation destinations, but the state's rich history and subtropical splendor is best discovered from behind the wheel of an open-top touring car. The Sunshine State is home to the A1A highway, a more than 300-mile-long, meandering black ribbon of tarmac ─ set off by crystal-white sand, aquamarine ocean waters, and abundant wildlife ─ which terminates in Key West, almost a stone's throw from Cuba. The A1A Optima takes inspiration from this iconic byway by letting the sunshine in and taking the all-new 2016 Optima in a new direction. Its high style and high-end details make this the perfect car for Miami's tony South Beach, the laid-back Key West lifestyle and all points in between.

The A1A Optima features a nod to America's roadster fascination with its sliced top and shortened windshield. But this isn't any average chop job. The artists at LUX Motorwerks have created a show car that is road trip-ready. Reinforced steel tubes have been discretely hidden within the body-in-white so that the vehicle retains a rigid structure. Invoking a concept-car appearance, the back doors of the A1A Optima swing open on rear-mounted hinges, adding a touch of whimsy and fun while complementing the roadster style. The exterior is inspired by the vibrant colors of South Beach and features a custom turquoise paint scheme. A gleaming set of 20-in. HRE S104 wheels and Tiarra Luxury upper and lower grilles give the A1A Optima a contemporary aesthetic that's completely at home in the simmering South Beach scene.

The interior of the A1A Optima has been extensively re-worked to match the eye-catching exterior design. Deep bucket seats up front and custom double buckets in back are separated by extended armrests and a unique center console. Butter-soft cream and titanium leather covers the seats and extends throughout the interior with accents painted an attractive silver. The powerful 245-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine is combined with a high-performance exhaust, giving the A1A Optima a throaty voice. A Ksport coilover sport suspension lowers the vehicle's ride height and raises its visual appeal.