A BIGGER version of Kia's Optima saloon is on the way with the hint of an even larger model in the wings.

The all-new Optima will be on sale before the end of the year and will have its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Slightly wider and taller than the previous model but with a longer wheelbase, the new Optima has more room inside, a bigger boot and will come with some cutting-edge technology.

It will be first family saloon to feature a wireless phone charging facility and also has some upmarket options including adaptive cruise control and electronic damping.

A surround-view camera and automatic parking are also available as is a TomTom navigation system with live traffic alerts.

The new Optima has been given an upmarket look especially at the front where it features Kia's 'diamond studded' grille design first seen on the Sorento SUV.

In the UK the new Optima is likely to be sold only as a diesel and the 1.7-litre engine has been upgraded to cut emissions by 14 per cent to 110g/km on manual models fitted with stop/start.

That equates to an official fuel return of 67mpg.

Kia's seven-speed dual clutch transmission will also be offered on the Optima and while not quite as economical as the manual, it is rated at 64mpg with a CO2 figure of 116g/km - an improvement of 40g/km on the current automatic version.

Kia is hinting that a plug-in hybrid powertrain is on the cards next year as well as a stylish shooting brake-style derivative similar to the Sportspace concept car the Korean manufacturer revealed at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March.

Kia has also announced that its Soul electric vehicle is being used as a testbed for a wireless EV charging programme.

The trial is being run in America in conjunction with research company Mojo Motability and could lead to major improvements in the way electric vehicles perform.