In June 2012, iRacing officially announced that the Kia Optima GX iRacing would join the service for the Season 3 build. This landmark announcement confirmed a deep partnership with Kia Motors America and Kinetic Motorsports to bring the 2012 Pirelli World Challenge specification to the digital track. The Kia Optima is a statement car—a machine built to prove that a Korean family sedan can be transformed into a world-class racing champion. Its arrival marks the official birth of a dedicated FWD category on the service, providing members with a high-torque, high-skill-gap alternative to RWD racing.
Technical Specs: The FWD Powerhouse
The Kia Optima GX iRacing official specs reveal a machine that is as aggressive as it is efficient. Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing an estimated 310 horsepower and nearly 300 lb-ft of torque. iRacing’s announcement highlighted the car’s 6-speed sequential gearbox and its race-tuned suspension, which includes adjustable dampers and high-performance Brembo brakes. The most important technical detail, however, is the weight; at just 2,800 lbs, the Optima is a nimble, reactive racer that demands precision to keep its front tires from overheating.
The Pillar of the Global Challenge
The Kia Optima GX iRacing announcement also revealed that the car would be free for all members, emphasizing its role as a core “driver development” tool. The Optima will headline the new Global Challenge series, where it will compete in multiclass events. iRacing engineers spent months laser-scanning the Kinetic Motorsports chassis to ensure that every interior detail—from the digital MoTeC dash to the specialized switchgear—is perfectly recreated. The countdown to the FWD revolution is on. Get ready to experience the turbo-charged fury of the Optima GX.
