After a turbulent 24 hours, where plenty of information about the new Kia Optima GT was revealed, the powerful D-segment sedan finally makes its official launch debut in Malaysia. This also marks the arrival of the fourth-generation (JF) Optima in Malaysia, replacing the outgoing third-generation (TF) model.
There’s plenty of important figures relating to the Optima GT, but we start with the most important one of all – the price. The on-the-road price, with insurance, is listed at RM179,888, which includes a five year/unlimited mileage warranty. Buyers will get to choose from three different body colours for the Optima GT – Gravity Blue as seen here, Aurora Black and Snow White Pearl.
For that sum of money, you’ll get a Theta II 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 242 hp at 6,000 rpm and 350 Nm from just 1,400 to 4,000 rpm. A six-speed conventional automatic transmission with paddle shifters is paired with the engine, with drive going to the front wheels.
To put that into perspective, the T-GDI mill produces more power than the Toyota Camry 2.5L Hybrid (202 hp total system output), Mazda 6 2.5L (185 hp/250 Nm) and Honda Accord 2.4L (173 hp/225 Nm). Away from Japanese makes, the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI has just 217 hp and 350 Nm, while the Ford Mondeo’s 2.0 litre EcoBoost engine is rated at 237 hp and 345 Nm.
In terms of performance, the Optima GT will complete the zero to 100 km/h acceleration test in just 7.4 seconds, and hit a top speed of 240 km/h. Meanwhile, its claimed fuel consumption is 8.5 litres per 100 km in the combined cycle. Drivers will also be able to select from three driving modes – Sport, Normal and Eco – via a push of a button on the centre console, which adjusts the throttle response and steering weight. In Sport mode, an Electronic Sound Generator turns up the noise.
Exterior kit fitted to the Optima GT include LED headlights with LED DRLs, LED tail lights, a rear diffuser, twin oval-shaped exhaust tips, “Dot Array Mesh” front signature grille finished in satin chrome, and 18-inch fan-design alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres (235/45).
Moving inside, you’ll find electrically-adjustable front seats, with the driver seat offering 12-way adjustment and a memory function, while the front passenger will “only” have 10-way adjustment. Both seats are also ventilated, with a cooling and heating function to suit the situation. The blue car gets black leather seats while the other two exterior colours are matched with a rather sexy dark red cabin.
Elsewhere, there’s a seven-inch touchscreen display, a dual-zone climate control system with Clean Air ioniser, leather upholstery, D-shaped multifunction steering wheel, rear air-con vents, a wireless smartphone charger, a sunroof, sun shades for the rear side windows, a navigation function for the car’s infotainment system and a 4.3-inch TFT-LCD multi-info display in the instrument cluster.
Safety wise, you’re looking at six airbags (dual front, side, curtain), along with electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability control (VSM), hill-start assist control (HAC), anti-lock braking system (ABS) and an emergency stop signal (ESS). Front and rear parking sensors, as well as a reverse camera are standard fitments here.
Browse full specifications and equipment of the new Optima GT, and get the best deals on a new car, on CarBase.my.
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P1 Perdana T8 Hybrid > All
Vios is everything
Mr Gan you brain ok or not? I think you need medical attention
The fact that it loses out Active Safety Features such as Radar Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Monitoring makes me kinda sad :’) But Malaysians do not give a damn about these, they are just interested in the car’s output and look :'(
Should see their looks when kimchi RV tanked in 1year. Lulz
Great looking car, however, lack of active safety features will be a deterrent for Malaysians
It has so much power, yet it’s still slower than the passat and the mondeo. I think the passat is still the better buy even though its an extra RM20k
Agreed. While the Kia does have more power, it still loses out to the lightning fast shift of Volkswagen’s DSG and the power delivery and fuel efficiency of Volkswagen’s advanced TSI engines. Kia is a newcomer to turbocharging, I homestly applaud its attempt to produce a turbocharged car but I would rather buy a Passat as Volkswagen has all the experience producing turbo engines.
Petrol consumption is so so.
VW…..dsg….no thank you. Your car will spend more time in workshop.
Dont believe, go buy one.
Trust KIA , no workshop ?
its prone to workshop too.
Old optima got a lots of issues
move on bro , my k5 optima doesnt have any major problem .
urs ‘alot of issues’ is heard from friends or friends or friend ?
everyone deserve a second chance and they did it very well, move on bro..
my old junk wif 211hp 280nm runs 0-100kmh at 7.6sex & brakes is superb lol
not quite a newcomer, their 2.0t has been around since the previous generation of sportage R 7 years ago
Lol… VW DSG in Malaysia, what a joker. Malaysians love to be tortured
F30 BMW 318i. Superb!
318i at 136hp (segC) RM208,000
this at 242hp (segD) RM179,800
320i at 180hp, 7.2secs
this at 242hp, 7.4secs
Why are you people comparing KIA to BMW?
Not even in the same segment, same price range compared to 5 series not 3. BM is premium luxury full of heritage, while KIA is still on the way, not saying Kia is bad nor I hate Kia but I don’t see any reason to compare this car to a BM, as if Kia is on par to BM
$180K buy Pre-owned BMW or Optima GT
are u comparing the segment size ?
320 anyhow also lighter than optima
not to mention 320i is at RM238k
this is at RM178k
For all intents and purposes, the 3-series is considered a D-seg car.
Bro, I have a new 320i & a New Camry. FYI, the 320 is the size of the Altis, Civic & K3 hence it is a C-segment while the 5 series, E-class & Accord are D-segment.
This “waters” obviously have not sit in a 3 series before. 3 series is not a D segment
Honestly, even the Mondeo felt slow with it’s 240hp. The new Passat 2.0T would be the pick of the lot.
0-100 depends on so many factors. For this 350NM engine to be slower than a Passat with 350NM tells me the gearbox shift times must be quite slow. Passat’s DSG shifts lighting fast. The ZF 8 speed in the 3/5er shifts very quick too. Having 8 speeds closer ratio gearbox does help and the Torque converter clutch in the ZF locks up very quickly. The gearing in the Kia may not be right too, ie: 3 gear shifts to reach 100. The engine torque curve is flat according to the article but the Kia’s 350NM is available until 4000rpm only and drops off pretty quickly. Passat’s 2.0 350NM is available until 4400rpm and probably doesn’t drop off as fast. Area under the curve is a factor here. In short, passat can accelerate at max torque slightly longer possibly accounting for 0.3-0.4 secs.
VW/BMW is in the Turbocharging game much longer than Kia, but for an early attempt i would say it is good. Plus with similar torque to weight ratio, i guess “in gear acceleration” is likely similar between Kia and Passat. Difference is Passat quicker gear change, and the fact it can sustain max torque longer. 0-100 in this case is academic anyways. Drivers will feel “in gear acceleration” more than 0-100. Peace out.
Objectively, for the same price, you can only get the 1.8tsi passat which has an acceleration of 8s to 100. Lower trim and specification too.
Is it me or is the middle screen too small for the cabin?
K3’s was pretty small as well during launch in msia and thereafter upgraded to a bigger screen later on.. not sure if it would be the same for k5gt
Cheapskate head unit again. Didn’t learn from ioniq ?
Hot rod kimchi at near 250bhp, low end torque, at 180k, read hot value proposition
Yes, in the 2nd hand market after 2 years.
But with an inefficient drivetrain the 0-100kmh claimed time is nowhere near say a C300 or 330e with similar outputs. Better luck next time KIA.
Interior trim and plastic finishings, feels dated
kia optima GT vs vw passat vs camry hybird.. kia pricing seems to be very bullish
that bloody small screen in the middle looks out of place
Turbocharging an engine may not result in better fuel economy but it makes the car more driveable with max torque coming in at low rpm. This makes it much more fun to drive and safer for overtaking plus you will feel less tiring driving a car with adequate power over long distances. In Malaysia our road tax structure means that turbo cars are more practical to upkeep than large cc cars.
It isn’t new technology as European cars have been using it for so long but the Japs have been slow to adopt it. I think it is only due to Koreans pushing ahead with turbo that the Japs now feel compelled to go turbo too for fear of being left behind. Even then it is only Honda tip-toeing cautiously into this field with lightly boosted turbo and frequent reminders to service in case their engines explode while Toyota, Mazda and Nissan are still locked in the past as far as our market is concerned.
Previously to drive a powerful turbo car you need buy a Conti car with scary reliability and costly maintenance. For non-luxury segment that would be a VW, Peugeot or Ford and for luxury segment a Merc, BMW or Audi. Such cars are not for the faint hearted or the not so deep pocketed. You can drive a powerful Continental car but you drive in fear.
But the game has changed with the Koreans adding turbo to their C and D segment cars. The Optima GT puts the exhilarating power of a 2.0L turbo engine within reach of mere mortals. The beauty of its styling is matched by the beauty of its engine. Korean cars have arrived and they make no apologies for their quality and features. Those still mired in brand snobbery against Korean cars can give way to the Optima GT zooming past while sedately driving their Camrys and Accords.
The Camry 2018 will come with NA engine (max 2.5L with a puny output of 206hp) while the 2.4L engine of the 2018 Accord will be replaced with a puny 1.5L turbocharged engine (probably the same unit as Civic). They will match the Optima GT in price but not in power. The Japs have been soundly overtaken by the Koreans.
Well said bro…
That was an awesome review…watched it few times.
Heck this Kia is more powerful than the Mercedes’ 250 engine which is only 211hp 300Nm. But it’s slower 0 – 100kmh.
wondering whats the suspension system instead of telling more on those not important “Exterior kit fitted to the Optima GT include LED headlights with LED DRLs, LED tail lights, a rear diffuser, twin oval-shaped exhaust tips, “Dot Array Mesh” front signature grille finished in satin chrome, ” and “