just saw display optima in a shopping mall here at jb. Was always skeptical regarding the interior but that was totally washed away as being face to face as to watching hours of video really proved me wrong and was a solid and luxurious interior with a muscular presence which matches the exterior .

Only reason why I am holding back is that I really wished the turbo version would come in even thou I know due to petrol grade issues and its inability to support GDI engines.

Second reason is due to the very limited color choice.

If these two reasons were addressed then I would definately get one for sure!

nah, compared to the full range in other countries, the three color choices here are so dull and boring.

Yeah Naza wont bring the turbo but they might bring in the hybrid version, not sure that uses the GDI but it is plausible.

never doubt or predict sales trend as we know kia is going on a major overhaul so they are trying to make a world presence hence its not so far fetch if they decide to sell hybrids. Furthermore, it they manage to cement themselves as a superior brand, all the more it is ground to bring in new models. It will be expensive but if the current K5 does well, don't see why they wont bring in the hybrids.

Only thing is just the GDI engine which will be the deciding factor.

hmmm we shall see as for me nothing is impossible and bring in the hybrid is not so far fetched and their market is not localize to Malaysia. Beg to differ as we are talking about world trends as the Malaysian market just holds a fraction of the pie.

hence its more of a world presence with a complete change of image and I think it the next few years if they keep up the great design and performance, Kia will be able to overtake their Japanese rivals.

SS needs to improve greatly and that is also to come as everything takes a lot of effort and what Kia needs to recognize is the real demand and supplying in all areas

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Added on February 27, 2012, 2:45 pmcould you provide a link to the face lifted models as I could not find and any differences from the current generation?

This post has been edited by danscsa: Feb 27 2012, 02:45 PM

a bit off topic, just saw the K9 pictures, looks exactly like a beamer 5 series.

Interior is a bit bland and steering wheel is old schooled.

Anyway, will take years to reach out shores hence shall keep dreaming

http://paultan.org/2012/02/28/kia-releases...a-only-for-now/

yeah be nice to share photos along with a detail review as there are not many malaysian reviews of the k5 that is really comprehensive

seriously the best photo of a K5 so far here, really a good shot man

i thought they cant bring in the GDI version to Malaysia or Singapore due to issues with our petrol grade with does not meet the specific EURO standards for GDI tranmissions?

This post has been edited by danscsa: Apr 10 2012, 11:25 AM

thought that the PG was dull but a lad at my place has got it and boy does it look sexy and aesthetically menacing. Making me think twice as the only thing holding me back is the limited choice of colors.

anyway this week Kia is having their roadshow at Johor hence will be checking it out and taking a test drive if time permits as these roadshows generally draw a gargantuan size crowd!

light graphite yet to see but looks sleeker then the PG, just wish they would also bring in the metal bronze, then it would really have some splash of panache and class towards the overall exterior.

test drove the K5 on Saturday during the Kia roadshow in JB. The interior is really classy and feels premium. Engine is decently powered and using the paddle shifters were good, a tad bit laggy but overall interchanging was near seamless .

Tested the PG version, no news on the LG as the SA told me he can't comment on unconfirmed news. During the ride he told me to thrash the car and and check out the overall handling and performance which I gladly did. It is not as noisy as some users here claim as I found it was more contributed from tyre and wind but still cabin isolation is better then a honda accord.

They had freebies but no discounts offered as this SA is directly under Kia and he told me that they knew of dealers giving unauthorized discounts and taking action. I don't know how true is this story but even the branch and service manager confirmed this, that the day before on of the dealers that had their license revoked came to test drive the car and vented out his anger by crashing the optima to the sorento on grounds of testing the air bag deployment. A police report was lodged.

I know the story above seems far fetch but just for the sake of sharing. Back to the test drive, took the car out for 45 minutes and diverted from the map and my SA was really good even thou at times lacking info that I needed. Due to the EBD and various electrical circuitry that runs through the car, he suggested not adding additional accessories such as front parking sensors as that will disturb or cause an influx of the wattage consumption segregated by the manufacturer for each component. Only accessory they are fine with is the change of logo for RM150

Will wait further for more color variants to come down the pipeline before finally purchasing but in conclusion, test driving the car solidified my choice towards the K5.

This post has been edited by danscsa: Apr 16 2012, 08:17 AM

it is for the front and rear emblems excluding the tyres & steering

it is K5

perhaps this might be a silly question but i would like to ask, those having problems or in a dilemma to determine or buy the test drive cars, wont you directly know if it is a test drive car if the plastic covers are all still on? I don't think the pertaining dealer would reseal the seats of a test drive car or drive with the plastics on?

Also, I clarified this issue with the direct kia dealer and he confirmed that it is against their policy to sell test driven cars. The one i tested in Jb had a kl plate and it is only for test driving purposes.

This post has been edited by danscsa: Apr 17 2012, 09:36 AM