Given the overflowing chest of awards and accolades the Kia Optima raked in, in 2011; it seems as though the car has been available for a lot longer than one full model year.  Fans weren't the only ones to notice the Optima's success, either. Many automakers that make competing vehicles grew green with envy as we progressed through 2011. And, at the end, they had a glimmer of hope that the Kia Optima…