Kia Optima GT coming to Malaysia in 2017 – 2.0L turbo

We previously reported that Naza Kia Malaysia (NKM) will be introducing three new models this year, with one of them being the fourth-generation Kia Optima. At the company’s Chinese New Year open house event recently, it has been revealed that the NKM will officially be bringing in the Optima GT.

First revealed in Frankfurt back in 2015, the high-powered sedan has a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged T-GDI petrol engine that delivers 242 hp and 353 Nm of torque.

If that sounds like a lot, that’s because it is, as the GT has nearly the same amount of power as the BMW 330i M Sport (252 hp/350 Nm). On the Optima GT, the mill is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

In terms of performance, the Optima GT will hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 7.4 seconds, and the top speed is 240 km/h. The car also gets unique suspension settings, bigger brake discs and a retuned electric power steering (Kia calls it R-MPDS).

Styling-wise, the Optima GT is differentiated from less powerful variants with a sportier bumper featuring triangular-shaped side intakes and a lower chrome strip. Elsewhere, the sedan gets a rear diffuser plus two oval exhaust tips and a set of sporty 18-inch alloys.

According to NKM, the decision to bring in the Optima GT is in line with Kia’s global strategy to elevate the brand’s value. As such, NKM is looking to move towards the premium segment by introducing such a “high value product.”

This is further supported by the fact the NKM’s average per car value has gone up from between RM80k-90k, to RM130k, as we were told. However, NKM is also considering introducing lower variants of the Optima aside from the GT, although nothing is a definite for now.

Competition (non-Japanese makes) for the Optima GT will include the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI (217 hp/350 Nm) and Ford Mondeo 2.0 EcoBoost (237 hp/345 Nm).

GALLERY: Kia Optima GT

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Hmmm, to go for Accord 2.4 or this… decisions….decisions…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • REAR SPORTS DIFFUSER! Next, an official GT wing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • seancorr (Member) on Feb 07, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Almost similar output compared to the 330i but no where near its performance figures maybe due to its weight & drivetrain. For the record the 330i does the 0-100 dash in 5.8secs and runs to a limited top speed of 250kmh.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
    • safety 1st on Apr 06, 2017 at 9:22 pm

      new kids just got his license usually obsessed with 0-100 mark… this is a bread n butter daily driven family sedan… who in their right mind want to dash from traffic light to the next with two children strap on their child seats and wife sits next to it? we just need a decent torque to cruise and not to feel under powered when on rolling not on stand still. you want power can always pay double and get the 330i with a cramp rear seats and small trunk.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 3
    • safety 1st on Apr 06, 2017 at 9:57 pm

      and this car is a D segment meant to rival the accord camry and mazda 6…. the premium segment class D is the 5 series which cost north of 300k… this will give the japs a run for their money… with the old junk 2.4liter honda engine and its cvt hahaha

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • safety 1st on Apr 07, 2017 at 4:29 pm

      dude its not even competing in the same category.. first of the optima is bigger position in D segment and its not trying to target the bmw g30 market either at price rm399k…and can do 0-100 in 6s… this optima is targeting at camry and accord and based on that the performance, interior built quality,safety all trump against the japs… so kudos to the south korea manufacture who 10years ago only as good as proton… look where they are now

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • snail on Feb 07, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    Bunyi macam ribut, pergi macam siput

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 39
    • karam singh on Feb 08, 2017 at 12:23 am

      nope, this is a good one aside of ugly rear diffuser ;p
      is the rear diffuser developed at the TRD ? Toyota Ricer Development.
      Nice healthy output from the engine
      The main question is, how stable & how it handle in high speed 200kmh+
      high speed we trust on the continental cars,
      lets wait & see

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
      • snail on Feb 08, 2017 at 11:33 pm

        Dun get fooled by what’s written on specs, in real world. Example, does Veloster Turbo feel like real turbo sporty car? Nope

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 8
        • safety 1st on Apr 06, 2017 at 9:59 pm

          at least its faster than any souped up trd ‘ed mugen bodykitted type r wannabe out there

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • okay this is something interesting. plus it doesnt come with a cvt gearbox

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 0
  • camtakpro on Feb 07, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    lol try to increase the price and then it will back to square one – lesser ownership -> less common cars -> less spare part stocks -> longer time to wait for parts -> perceived harder to find parts -> low RV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 11
  • It is strange that with 350NM torque, 0-100km/h required 7.4 seconds.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • applegreen on Feb 08, 2017 at 11:32 am

      U think it will go faster? not really if the bodyweight is too heavy. For comparison the subaru forester XT also has 350Nm and can go 0-100kmh in 7.5sec

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
      • Sammy Loo on Apr 07, 2017 at 1:48 am

        Forester XT is AWD plus a CVT gearbox

        This Optima is using torque converter and 2WD, the engine output delivering 0-100km/h in 7.4s is not good, meaning a lot of power lost on transmission.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Gaviny on Feb 07, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    Wah nice! , cool! , better than proton ! , give like !. Announced price 160-180k , wah stupid ! Korean car only!, engine easy spoil. This is the typical Malaysian car buyer

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 9
  • Lee Kum Kee on Feb 07, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    Kimchi cheap & tasty !!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 9
  • Kunta Kinte on Feb 07, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    Naza Kia recently pricing their cars close to Japs. This is what you call arrogance.

    Pity buyers. Buy D segment car like Optima for RM140k but next year sell, can only get RM70k

    Better buy Accord, Camry or Teana. Same price but one year later sell, still can get over RM100k

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 30
  • civicx on Feb 07, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    welcome to turbo era

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Kuinosan on Feb 07, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    I’ve got to say that Peter and his designers are swaying away from its original European car design philosophy. And now their new models are really close to be categorized as ugly cars. The designers at Kia should take a couple of steps back and view its cars with an open heart and tell yourselves that they are indeed a bunch of badly designed vehicles. Even the flagship Stinger have not been spared the bad taste. Buck up Kia, you guys were once on the right track in the design department, but sad to say you guys are loosing the plot!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • Ben Yap on Feb 07, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    this car is way faster than camry.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 0
    • Beng Ong on Feb 07, 2017 at 11:43 pm

      Tell which ordinary Toyota offer the same proportion as this Kia? Toyota only produce ordinary for zombies.Toyota concentrating on profit not the value added of its products.Same old engine,boring design and the last brand to offer upgrades.Toyota is well known to be a follower,not trend setter.They just proud of hybrid,but that’s it.Nothing all.While other giving significant improvement on design,performance and creativity,Toyota just playing safe.As safe as selling 4-5 speed while others moved fast to 6 and going to 7 speed gbox.Profiteering from stupid consumers.Yes,Malaysian!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 2
  • Hopefully the pricing will around 155k to 170k. This will give all those sushi camry and accord a run for their money. And don’t give all those nonsense about resale value. Cause go through carlist or oto, kimchi and sushi makes not much difference when it comes to resale value. Only morons buys cars for resale value!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 5
    • Juju the Joo on Feb 07, 2017 at 11:49 pm

      Hopefully Korean can invest more in service and parts in Malaysia.Their cars are awesome in fact gorgeous looking than Japan cars.I still can’t digest Sienta for god sake!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • not bad, nearly bmw 330i power, if the price more than rm200k, sure hard to sell, even current optima also quite rare on our road.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
    • Sammy Loo on Feb 07, 2017 at 11:20 pm

      330i power but 0-100 is even slower than 320i, too much power lost on the transmission

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
  • FcukHonda on Feb 07, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    This 2.0 turbo can smoke the Civic 1.5 Ah Beng turbo at Sunway and Sepang despite having low RV.
    A huge F*** you Honda!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 40 Thumb down 22
  • Everything look good and tempting except the badge.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
    • safety 1st on Apr 06, 2017 at 10:07 pm

      when the avante sport arrives with its 1.6turbo, the sportage with its 2.0 turbo diesel.. the tucson with its 1.6 turbo.. the sorento with 2.2 turbo diesel… all of which korean producing high powered cars 180hp above… then the paradigm will shift from shame to drive a kia to shame to drive a honda/toyota/nissan with their dated engines cvt tranny n over priced rrp

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • anonymous on Feb 07, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    With so many turbo car on the road, can I still drive my NA car peacefully? Even on most left lane?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
    • totota on Feb 08, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      the word “turbo” doest means fast..many cars are with turbo such like volvo s60 but didn’t put the turbo badge
      downsizing engine & add in turbo is to reduce fuel consumption and CO2..smaller and lighter engine but can have same power with big engine..example civic 1.5turbo almost same power with 2.4 engine

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Kunta Kinte on Feb 07, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    Toyota is doomed. Honda and the Koreans offer turbo. Toyota is the laggard. Sam loo must be considering quitting Toyota.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 2
    • Chikako jeng jeng on Feb 07, 2017 at 9:46 pm

      Down sizing and turbo is a thing of the past, this has been confirmed by VW group and Ford, as turbo charging doesn’t help the environment. Next gen golf gti could be a plug in hybrid. They are going hybrid. Honda and KIA are late for the party, and the party is about to finish.. Very good effort by KIA though.. Toyota still ada chance.. if the trend goes hybrid…

      PS. Not a Toyota salesman.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Brazbuz on Feb 07, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    Looks like top of the range diesel sportage will be named as GTX line. So what sorento LSX stand for? Better equipped diesel variant for sorento perhaps?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Kuinosan on Feb 07, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    Styling of Kia latest models are getting uglier by the day. Naza is also not helping with virtually no marketing strategy whatsoever. Stay away from this brand if you are in Malaysia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • Bernard on Feb 07, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    Optima has very poor resale value.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 11
    • YoureKidding on Feb 14, 2017 at 3:21 am

      are u sure ?
      go mudah and see
      K5 2.0 2013 (RSP149k) can still sell at rm80k
      while camry 2.5 2013 (RSP189k) now selling price at rm100k
      * Camry 2.0 2013 (RSP159k) now selling price at rm80k too

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
    • YoureKidding on Feb 14, 2017 at 3:22 am

      Don’t forget about the first hand discount ,
      *Kia usually offer > RM5000 or even RM12000 discount

      while Toyota usually offer < RM3000 discount

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Bob_B78 on Feb 08, 2017 at 8:40 am

    Y offer so much hp in a car yet performance is only mediocre. Even a lesser powered golf gti is much faster in straight line. Yet korean car handling is so so only and putting this much power in it spells disaster.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 9
  • passion on Feb 08, 2017 at 9:40 am

    the Koreans have come a long way though. once they improve the handling they will be kings of the road.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • lilytan on Feb 08, 2017 at 12:07 pm

    Typo spotted. It should be R-MDPS.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Not Toyota Fan on Feb 08, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    Technology wise, Korean cars are up there with European marques. Reliability polls in US places Hyundai Kia up there with the Japanese marques. Problem is, the resale value here in Boleh-Land. No love for kimchi here. Boleh-Landers has been brought up worshipping Japanese marques (middle class) & European marques (upper middle & uber rich). This mindset won’t change in the immediate future. Boleh-Landers are very resistant to change, especially if it involves their pockets.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
 

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