New Optima GT launched and priced at rm179k powered by Nu 2.0L turbocharged boosted to 3.5L strength. Reminds me of when Mondeo 2.0T launched at Rm180k and eventually failed. What were they thinking? Most D segments sold are 2.0L at rm140-150k. Probably don't know how to compete head on with Japanese D segment so brought in turbocharged 2.0L hoping to gain some sales competing with Japanese 2.4L and 2.5L D segments. FC result in America, the FC of 2.0T Optima/Sonata are higher than 2.4L NA Optima & Sonata. What do the people here think? Looks like they think themselves as conti car selling at cbu conti price now. Chain reaction, the sales volume also become like conti in the past. Conti today instead playing by the rule going CKD competing with Japanese at Japanese price range.

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Jun 6 2017, 10:28 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

Many many many continental going to get offended can't keep up

Remember, it's a KIA.

Whatever shit they do to it, it's still a KIA, a brand that practically screamy "hey i got no money but i wanna buy a big car".

Same like buying a fake LV bag. Looks the same, but feels and holds a totally different reputation.

Most so called high class D segment are already priced at RM180-200k, e.g. mazda 6, mondeo, etc. There was a Japanese D segment car is priced at RM240k - Subaru Legacy which perhaps failed in Malaysia but it's a very nice car to drive and own.

In Malaysia at least , I feel the Japanese premiums are much better value than any entry level continental , much better specs , more space, better reliability, economy

Agreed but knowing Malaysian, most of us will go with the Brand instead of better value. Just spoke to a friend last night on this. 90% of Malaysian will go for a continental brand if it's priced the same as d segment Japanese made. E.g. A200 vs Mazda 6 2.5 FL. 90% of Malaysians would definitely go for A200 because it's a Merc! Regardless that Mazda 6 is a more comfortable, better drive and spacious, Malaysians would always be brand conscious coz they'll get to say... "I'm driving a Benz!" Haha..

Not really la , A200 and Mazda 6 is too big class difference , most would say instead of mazd 6 to 'top up' another 40-50k for the 320i that doesn't even have a reverse camera

Actually that's what my friend did. He bought the A200 as its priced almost similar. He's proud driving a Benz!

The fuck? KIA is not pretending to be anything or duping consumers, not comparable to fake LV.

Can't download Optima GT brochure from Kia website. Failed.

Anyone has them?

Cannot compare with mazda 6. That one also not selling well especially the 2.5L model. Ppl here who wants a D segment car look for a spacious car, comfortable and quiet cabin. These 3 things are Mazda 6 weakness compare to the rest of the D segment competition. Pros of Mazda 6 lies in the steering wheel which gives the best feedback and adequate weight, and the interior design and premium material.
If ppl want a big d segment and need alot of power, can always go for the new passat with detuned golf gti engine.

D segmen is for uncle
Where got uncle drive at 200kmh ? Or zig zag in karak hway to unleashed the 380nm ?

Most uncle in D segmen always kena high beam with me coz drive 110kmh at right lane... Sighhh

New Kia Optima GT is powered by Theta II 2.0 GDI turbo, please do your homework first before comment anything

Of course not comparable to fake LV, its totally a lower grade then that because it's so obvious a KIA

It's a KIA, seriously I don't have to say more, Even if you drive a proton people will still guess "hmmm ni kroni kaya punya daily ride ker or someone rich low profile ker"

But showing up with a KIA basically confirms you're a poorfag. This is Malaysia, brand matters. ALOT.

You don't see sales people proudly drive a kia, they rather spend that money buy a madza la.

Nothing is wrong with KIA. You're a brand snob you only see brand ok we understand.

I ride Mercedes bus wow so high class!

Your "We" means people that who bought KIA and are living in denial.

My "We" is the general public perception oh and oso ahmois perception.

"Eh u drive what car?"
"Ooo Kia lo"
"Ha... ha... ok bye"

As compared to

"What car u drive oo?"
"Mercedes"
"*jilat mode-ON"

Don't kid yourself lah please, nobody gives a shit u drive a gt or k576858 or whatever model in the end ppl still will still remember you as "oh neh that sohai lang that drives a KIA lo", people recognise car just by their brand, end of story.

shut up and take mymoney !

Mondeo 2012 2nd value only around 80k ...this kia RV after 5 year maybe down to 60k

Nope, not in denial. I just don't care. Any budget range can get used merc/bmw if you need brand as ahmoi bait. Got a friend who bought new civic coz his relatives keep teasing him for driving civic FD. But not everyone is in his situation.

Look at this dimwit captain obvious. Keep buying recon cars if it makes you happy.

Have to agree with master marketing king this time...


Hard to find ppl to spend 179K for this car...



For those comparing merc vs kia.

Sorry, in sales, merc is the choice here, or BMW.

This post has been edited by -Aktan-: Jun 7 2017, 11:57 PM

Lol potty mouth and brain damaged... You are the one comparing Kia to recon cars.

Even if this was priced at RM150k, I doubt sales will be great. People normally relate Kia & Hyundai with low resale value and expensive & unavailable spare parts in comparison to their Japanese counterparts.

The uncle's son will take the car and drive like that whenever the uncle is on a business trip, or during a family trip when the uncle is too tired to drive. Son will take over



This post has been edited by Boy96: Jun 8 2017, 04:00 AM

Oh 2.0T eh? Most welcomed. Well definitely this car has most of my likings really except missing the handbrake. Price expensive? Doesn't care

just a matter of time before they give 30k discount for this car

Then it will begin to sell like hot cakes!

Well, Camry 2.0 vs Optima GT 2.0 @ RM150k .... I think Optima GT is a good buy. With this price RM150k I will just ignore.com on Camry 2.0G/X and Altis 2.0V.

if 150k for optima GT, i also ignore all D segmen which sell in msia...

Brand is 1 thing while necessities and maintenance count too. Any car that is priced too close to BMW, Mercedes will need to have lots of oomph that could convince people to buy. Mazda 6 is best example of Japanese non-luxury marque that could sell despite people could get 6 months old preowned BMW 3 series at RM180k

Thank you. Yes, I can get entry level preowned BMW 3 series or Mercedes C-Class at similar pricing, only 6 months old driven by staff and most of the time only parked there. So they are still in good condition. New Optima won't survive like this unless they got 2.0L NA engine but will require good Strategist to lead and plan. If it's just any ex salesman or marketing cert guy, they can forget about selling.

Yes, even rm150k, people won't buy. Mondeo 2.0T is best example, they throw high discount until similar price, while preowned units at even much lower price, the sales is just as bad. Looks like Japanese King Strategist is winning. Latest survey report, the response is just poor. Surveyors at few main outlets reported quiet. Compared to nearby showrooms of Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Honda has most visitors, Toyota and Mazda still got people. Korean showrooms just quiet despite 2 models just newly launched. Feel really bad for the sales people.

@Eternalgl0ry
"So true. I sold my veloster turbo because drinks fuel like crazy ( same stuffs with the new elantra but less power tuned ) and The aftersales is even worse than proton. Unless koreans decide to even bother with malaysia unlike mazda"

Your post in new Elantra thread was removed, probably some kiasu reported as offensive . Perhaps you coulld post your Veloster 1.6T FC here. Japanese King Strategist evaluation test on rented or leased Elantra Sport in overseas, day 1 gets 6-7Km/L based on MY city traffic condition, similar to 2.4L engine FC.

Just ignore new Elantra thread since they aren't open to public facts talk on cars. That is only reserved for their own marketing talk only. Anything these marketing guys dislike, they'll report forcing admin to remove. No wonder people don't bother to post there anymore. Their showrooms also quiet, no people despite first weekend after launch. They can ask their members to flock to showroom after seeing my comment but they still can't deny the poor response due to failed marketing and planning, worst is they reject owners feedback, now padan muka.

New Elantra brought in only 2.0L and 1.6T, most likely to make way for Accent 1.4L and 1.6L B segment to challenge Japanese B segments. Cerato also quiet, still x laku despite price throwing...Will have preowned soon, already 6 months but people lost confidence already.

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Jun 10 2017, 02:14 PM

Do you plan to test drive Optima GT, Elantra sport and Tucson 1.6T? If you have tried, care to post review here?

I don't know maybe the optima at most

Me also can buy bmw n merc but when come to servis n parts i can't afford it...
So bmw n merc are not everyone option

Only Optima? Why not try new Elantra? They have turbo version for test drive at few main branches and HQ.

If Optima GT sales volume low, how does that give cheap spare parts? The 2.0GDI engine and dual clutch gearbox are far less on the road. If spare parts imported in small numbers or only when there's order onpy, then the price of spare parts won't be cheap. Take Koup, Veloster 1.6T for example, rarely see 1, spare part shops won't stock in lots of parts, so is SC. Remember when forte launched, no spare parts for broken windscreen yet expensive and took a month to arrive. How is that practical? No difference than buying BMW, Mercedes that have plenty of spare parts and tech expertise

Then people should buy bmw n merc coz plenty of spare part
Why waste money buy new accord or camry or teana or mazda 6 when u can get rekon unreg merc n bmw with same price
Plenty of spare part not meaning cheap for everyone to afford

Spare part n wshop also know if u can afford to buy merc n bmw u also can afford to buy exp parts n exp servis

Dun compare 20 yrs old merc n bmw la of coz cheap parts

This post has been edited by sitescope: Jun 11 2017, 08:02 PM

No interest in it

KIA got no problem.. NAZA is the problem.

In fact, BMW and Mercedes have plenty of parts except for the failed models like 8 series. That is why many bought. In referring present day series F10 5 series and F30 3 series, if you cannot afford SC price, outside there are good specialist that offers lower labour cost. Spare parts you can choose original parts or replica parts that are made under licence that are cheaper.

Under present day condition, many would go for good FC and stable resale value. D segment 2.0L millennium sprint slower but beats FC of 2.4/2.5L. If I get Mazda 6 2.0L, it has good sprint 10.5s, build quality high, RV stable, spare parts plenty as sales volume good. I go for Accord or Camry, they are safe to own long term, no worry on spare parts, RV, when bored, just trade in and get new replacement. For same feeling secured over long term ownership and wanted more power, they can go for 2.4L or 2.5L.

Optima GT, with what the distributor doing now, its after sales won't be good if sales volume poor, followed by RV and ended up being another Mondeo. Many that owned 2.4, 2.5L and turbocharged 1.6, 2.0T, but most obey law, even if they sprint for fun or overtaking, they don't bother counting the sprint when they already have less than 9s acceleration. They are happy as long as the car could overtake well. FC is more concern than acceleration at this stage. Do you know that BMW and Mercedes engines today are FC saving that beats Japanese rivals?

As tested by Japanese King Strategist and US consumer group, the Sonata 2.0T that shares same engine, gearbox, chassis as Optima GT gets poorer FC than Sonata 2.4L. If a person bought Optima, he pays more petrol and rarely gets to enjoy the sprint, drive normal on highway only. Then have to risk end up with less or no spare part having to import. Another person who bought 2.4, 2.5L Japanese brand, he enjoys better FC with little power still with good after sales

Conclusion

Kesian Elantra, no wonder no people visit showroom. Because you also said like this. What is your comment on Elantra future here? They didn't bring in 1.6L entry level this time. Looks like they are planning to bring in new Accent 1.4 and 1.6L. if they do, under current rules on pricing, 1.4L at rm75k while 1.6L at close to rm90k.

Behold their last hope, new Accent, Elantra as smaller brother. Difference on the grille that adopted new Sonata style, rear lights are Genesis style. Expect public to say 1.4L underpowered while 1.6L fuel thirsty when compared to Japanese rival 1.5L.


Attached thumbnail(s)

Good car generally , just pricing is not what the market wants to pay and there's nothing much can be done about it

Secondly , there really hasn't been much interest in higher powered sedans , yes a few say it is nice but general market is still looking for good fuel consumption and reliability

And lastly is the brand image itself

Other countries where Hyundai has good sales generally they have a local RnD where they do country specific tuning of the car for that country only, like Australia , Europe , Russia . The rest get the standard car good or bad

It's too early to say if the Elantra sport will succeed or not at that price tag. Due to long weekend many people balik kampung so not many people visit showrooms to test drive.

I think the Elantra sport isn't badly priced, certainly not as bad as Ford Focus sedan for RM144K. It is what you would expect to pay for a high spec C-segment from Jap or Conti make but being Korean our market expects to pay less.

At rate the Honda Civic turbo is selling I would say there is a lot of interest in higher powered sedans provided the FC remains reasonable.

Well, time will tell.


This post has been edited by Ginny88: Jun 12 2017, 12:19 PM

Recond mercs and BMW ......I feel for you!

This post has been edited by 19 Degree South: Jun 12 2017, 01:21 PM

Wow....what a "joy" seeing you back out here. Eh...got some flames on dear honda, how come you didn't go douse the flame there??

For you statement above, makes me wonder you trust your strategist friend too much or you just plain being biased. If you read automotive articles and reviews long enough, the official consumption number of a turbo car is really just a number.

People in the know are well aware that the fuel consumption of a turbo will normally be higher than non turbo, regardless of brand. Anytime you reach the spool range, more fuel will be consumed as added pressure = more heat, and will require more fuel injection to regulate combustion pressure and prevent knocking. If want faster acceleration, all these numbers will be way off. If you don't understand what i mean, please watch this particular episode of driven series from paultan and see what happens to the fiesta ecoboost (forget about the hybrid contender).



Only those that really sissy foot their turbo cars will see nice fuel consumption numbers. Drive normally in our traffic condition, any modern non turbo engine (even though larger displacement) will have similar or better fuel consumption numbers. When WLTP standards come live, will see that turbo consumption numbers will be adversely affected while non turbo will not fluctuate too much. Other than emission concerns, car manufacturers are talking more about engine rightsizing instead of downsizing.

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jun 12 2017, 03:08 PM

Then ur story not convince enough coz people still afraid to buy merc n bmw
Outside wshop also cut throat, always heard they say "ini part mer/bmw maaa, mana sama rege proton"
I dun buy turbo if not interested in sprint, speeding, overtake, zigzag, etc
My 2.0 also now feel so slow aldy
I'm not type a person folo back people at right lane or folo back lorry when double line
Me only slow when got AES
KL - JB in 2.5hrs is std for my 2.0

That's a good sign, bring more pressure to SD to reduce price
Huge disc like what peug did

Optima gt for 150k, elantra for 110k

This post has been edited by sitescope: Jun 12 2017, 04:09 PM

My prediction, optima will match camry hybrid price and elantra similar maximum discount like civic turbo. Bear in mind, excluding the continentals, these 2 products are segment leaders now in terms of performance. After all it is CBU, so price not so elastic. Further, MYR is still in shitty position despite some small recovery in the month. Most likely that the product was order when MYR at weakest.

Squeezing price further down will hurt future product launches. If MYR improves and CKD operations, got hope of better pricing. If they are pricing it like this at launch, i believe they are fine without great sales number. Just play the niche market as pushing market share need a lot of money and may not succeed knowing how ingrained Malaysian's perception of Toyota/Honda.

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jun 12 2017, 05:21 PM

Placed your booking ordi?

No, my current car still not yet 2 year old, i wished i was that rich

srsly the pricepoint is gonna kill this faster despite the praise and blings on the improvements..

Not just pricing, it's the failed and wrong strategies that killed the Korean brand here. 2015 onwards they just kept slumping despite throwing very high discount in overall.

In America, ever since they went off course, they actually lost. Refer 2015~present sales statistics, in these countries they claimed best seller, their sales are actually behind the few Japanese brand models C and D segments. Before this they park themselves side by side or chasing up near Camry, Accord and Civic, Altis,. Today they are trailing behind challenged by Ford. In China, they are losing to China quality brands. In Australia, Toyota and Mazda haven taken over most of the shares that was once held by Koreans.

Even I not convinced to buy BMW or Mercedes because I'm not rich. I bought Japanese for stable future. However, numbers of those owned BMW, Mercedes, Audi would drive slow to get attention. Ferrari, Lamborghini drive even slower so that they can show off.

Korean cars reduce price, they'll go dark age very soon. Have you seen the actual undeclared official price of new Cerato now? Why nobody buys despite price throwing until a person that wanted to buy Japanese B segment can afford new Cerato 2017? Veloster threw high discount too but only lying there to collect dust.

That Japanese King Strategist, as long as he could provide facts and evidence, I believe. Paul Tan is just an infected journalist that can't talk facts about cars properly. In fact I do know how it works but chose not to share any pros of any car to let the Japanese and Korean brands compete fair and square. In just news commentator, not with Japanese company. Whatever mainstream Japanese cars got flamed, if my members are involved in that brand, you'll notice those remeh-temeh bombardment in forum failed to bring down their sales in real world. Like poking fun at Civic rear crab lights, in real world, these crabs are everywhere while no Ioniq, Cerato, tucson, shortage or any 2015 onwards launched Korean cars seen on the road nowadays.

I want to see how the Korean principals hired so call experts fare against my members that have joined Japanese rivals. Looks like the Koreans failed big time, blaming economy, school holidays when raya is only by end of the month. They can come up with excuses as if everyone has evacuated KL because of school holidays until nobody visit showroom when next door rival showrooms look busy at the few main showrooms where Japanese King Strategist fielded his surveyors.

Thanks to all those wise buyer including you for choosing Japenese B segment or Japanese car. And also to your strategist friend. Must not support kimchi car and their shitty pricing.

Because of you guys, I manage to make booking for full spec Cerato 1.6 with full leather for almost the price of mid spec Honda City after rebate + haggling

This post has been edited by faridr: Jun 14 2017, 12:04 AM

Korek... We need people like him to push optimaGT to lower their price to 150k so i dun need to scratch my head to buy boring ekod, camry, teana, mazda6, etc etc

Crowded market , no differentiation factor ,

But is not lost yet , they did hire many ex German marque top people to join them , so future will see more improvements

This post has been edited by rcracer: Jun 14 2017, 08:11 AM

Objectively,

Accord 2.4liter - 175ps@6200rpm & 225nm@4000rpm with 5 speed automatic

Optima GT 2.0T - 242ps@6000rpm & 350nm@1400rpm with 6 speed automatic

With GT, the peak torque available at low rpm, you will feel the power of 350nm right at the tap of the gas pedal while in accord, you have to press the pedal to 4k rpm to get a tiny 225nm of power (the max power you can get).


Both come with 6 airbags although u can find the optima is listed in the ncap website with 5 star score while accord is not listed.


Features wise, GT equipped with sport leather ventilated seat (very comfortable with Malaysia humid climate), Harman/Kardon premium audio system. wireless charging. and many more.

The interior design layout is of european flair with dashboard and switchgear arrangement looks like bmw and audi.

Price wise, the accord is rm172k vs the optima rm179k

not much of diff in pricing but a huge diff in performance and luxury feel.

Brand wise - lets face it, either accord or optima, they both run of a mill machine not a luxury brand...to the eye of those who drive luxury cars both are cheap sub 200k car...

hence better get the one that is more value for money...for what is worth...the kia optima performance is almost the same as the 5 series 530i.

Agree with Safety 1st. The Optima GT is a more value for money buy than the Accord. But in Malaysia the common perception is that Korean cars have no right to cost as much as an equivalent Jap car even if we are comparing CBU and CKD cars. Sales of the Optima GT will probably be 10% of the Accord. But those who can look beyond brand snobbery can get to enjoy a better, more powerful car for the same amount of money.

But in msia only uncle buy D segmen n this uncle drive 110kmh only so performance isn't in their list
When on hway, majority cucuk me is B n C segmen only
D segmen all go left give way
D segmen is more on relaxing drive

You're welcome. There'll be more discount and price slash on new models if the Koreans failed against Japanese King Strategist few more waves of offensive strategies. Since they'll bring in Korean B segment, that's their last hope. Fiesta that is competing against Japanese B segment, it failed despite having quality and technology. Rio has failed, the new Accent, without good Strategist, it will fail too just like the rest.

The older Cerato was sold really cheap price. New one slash price a lot that affects old Cerato resale value soon under really bad marketing strategies.

Mondeo 2.0T was priced at RM179k too when it was launched. Accord, Camry 2.4L at rm170k too but Mondeo failed to sell, not even when they slashed high discount. Mazda 6 2.5L was priced higher than Mondeo 2.0T yet far more people bought Mazda 6 2.5L. Now new Optima GT is following exactly Mondeo footsteps. Even worse, no test drive available.

Value for money actually counts practicality and secured long term ownership. If it failed that 2 main criteria, then it's not value for money. It has power but at cost of higher FC and engine working harder. The larger engine would just relax when churning out the extra power.

Horse power bisa...

I'm not brand conscious generally but if they are bringing in a D segment or C segment which priced like the jap... I'm not buying it.

optima GT if it's 140k ish.. I'm heading to the showroom..

I'm a bit puzzled on this man.....sometimes what you write have technical sense, but there are times also that really don't makes sense.....

2 person using the same account kah??

Yea and there is this kind of people.. your car more than 5years liao... no change car = poor mofo.

Everyone knows why I don't post tech talk that would benefit Korean cars at the moment. I'm just news commentator posting news and results. Not helping the losing brand to win this time. The Passat turbocharged is at good offer now, cheaper than Accord 2.4 and Optima GT. Why would people pay so much for Optima GT that will end up like Mondeo 2.0T when they can buy Passat turbo at much lower price? Top up a bit more can get Volvo.

The Passat turbo is RM199K OTR without insurance. With the RM15K discount for Raya promotion it comes to RM184K which is still RM9K more than Optima GT at RM175K OTR without insurance.

But let's say if both cars are sold at the same price why would people buy an Optima instead of a Passat? There are many possible reasons I can think of:

1. A Korean car is generally more reliable than a Continental car.
2. Passat will be more expensive to maintain after warranty with higher cost of spare parts, harder to repair and more expensive labour.
3. 6 speed auto transmission is more reliable than DSG and smoother in low speed traffic.
4. Passat's adaptive dampers are wear and tear items and are damn expensive to replace.
5. Optima GT is CBU from Korea. Passat is CKD in Pekan with our unimpressive assembly quality.
6. Optima has higher resale value. In 3 years expect the Optima to maintain 60% of its value while the Passat will only be worth 40%.
Edit:
7. The DSG is a wear and tear item which will need replacement at some point.
8. VW's mechatronic is another unreliable item with high failure rate. Failure cannot be predicted and when it fails your car is immobilized.

So you want to top up a bit more for a Volvo? That's a very expensive car to maintain.

This post has been edited by kluseng: Jun 19 2017, 08:23 AM

Again Bobby says continental cheap to maintain .

Really that heated seats in Optima GT hnnnnnng. It is just lacking those safety in Ioniq HEV+ - for god sake it is ~RM180k and none of those HEV+ safety. WTF. When Honda release Accord Hybrid with Honda Sensing at that price, good luck Optima GT - back to drawing board.

Just like Ioniq HEV now got kicked by Jazz Sport Hybrid. When they add Honda Sensing to Civic or even City or Jazz Hybrid, HEV+ pricing can just vanish in the background.

Why everybody must compare with Ioniq HEV+ features? How many cars in our market have those features?


This post has been edited by kluseng: Jun 18 2017, 09:45 PM

Why can't we? They are released later than HEV+, should have those as standard. Otherwise it will just be beaten down by any upcoming releases that have all those tech included, and end up doing a facelift 'retro-fitting' those techs just to trying hard to catch up, make it more attractive and lure back customers - by then too late. Vios can be a case study here - I've no idea how much retro-fitting extra stuff they can do in order to even get close to City sales.

If Hyundai/Kia isn't aiming for market leader and not aiming to strike a price/performance leader position (before competitors react), nobody would want to treat them as one as well. In the end it will be another product that only get the lime light during launch.

I almost go for Ioniq HEV+ seeing they have given it some nice thought - giving a full size spare tire... only to know that its HU is replaced with another severely castrated unit vs the global version HU; and giving a lame reason saying the 'good HU' interfere with the electronics.

This post has been edited by dstl1128: Jun 18 2017, 10:11 PM

Problems all lies on branding...

If the logo changed to Honda or Toyota, this car will sells like hotcake!

It just unfortunate many ppl unable to enjoy this good car!

This car ticks many or most boxes but got unticks on the brand's box...

This post has been edited by dman: Jun 19 2017, 10:55 AM

I've gone thru Bobby Ang review of this car. Everything seems prefect except the price point that Malaysian would complain about and the RV.

The car design is very sporty and something to shout about. the badge KIA that makes everyone turn away.

It's a very powerful and well-built car with great features for the price but because it's a Korean car people either expect it should be cheaper than a Jap car or demand much more if it is priced the same. Then they spend the same amount to buy a Camry or Accord with old tech engine, shitty CKD quality, tacky plastic interior and less features. Those who can look beyond the brand are those who get to enjoy the power and quality of the Optima GT. In terms of RV there is very little difference in D-segment RV whether Jap or Korean and 2.4L engines may have worse RV than 2.0L.


This post has been edited by Ginny88: Jun 19 2017, 01:57 PM

You're right but unfortunately, too many Malaysians are just too afraid to step out of their comfort zone and preferring to stay within the herd based on instinct...the Optima GT deserves to do better

Let's say right now, everything on the Optima GT remains the same, CBU with RM 180k pricing. However, the car is now known as Toyota Camry GT.

Would you buy?

Well I have to choose GT with e-parking brake than a camry or Accord that uses foot operated brain park.

Perhaps I would.

Sure yes, will choose Camry GT over Optima GT at that price point anytime.

Korek... 2.4 rv is bad due to higher rtax
But ausie sell this at 150k with more features so msia should sell around that price too then people might consider (coz less features)

Nope...

This post has been edited by sitescope: Jun 19 2017, 09:55 PM

Actually, care to "remind" us why? Still kind of puzzled after these years of your postings, swaying from camp to camp. But i don't deny that your much earlier years' postings are more fair. You don't sound like a commentator now, as the opinions are solidly favouring 1 camp and you don't want to touch on the other camp's point. This behaviour is akin to a spokesperson/ambassador.

Well, the passat low spec turbo talk applies to all competition in the segment, especially more so to the japanese as they hold the major market share.

Please don't refer other country's car prices la....99% of models irrespective of brands will be relatively higher than ours.

Just consider the following regarding the price :

1) this is CBU, not CKD
2) no EEV incentive, automatically +10k for this segment of cars
3) lower bulk discount volume compared to camry/accord as they can buy in much higher quantities from japanese principle
4) this car has an turbocharger, and all the additional associated parts will add up to at least +5k

In fact, we should be questioning why toyota/honda are pricing cars so highly when they can pass down the savings from multiple avenues.

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jun 20 2017, 11:27 AM

anyone test drive it? feel like wanna have a try after watching bobby's review..

The Camry is designed for comfort and reliability. Giving it a more powerful engine wouldn't be of much benefit.

I'm not sure what the Optima is designed for. The general perception is that Koreans make 'me too' products. Toyota and Honda have D Segment sedans so the Koreans make D Segment sedans. It doesn't have to be better or have competitive advantages because they'll sell it cheaper.

The Optima GT finally has a competitive advantage in the D Segment but it's an old model which will be replaced soon. VW brought out their GT with the launch of the new Passat.

you are right. current accord and camry have been here around 4 years ago i think so the next gen will be competitive. new accord will be previewed soon in next month IINM with the rumors of putting turbo,etc

nowadays, automakers are focusing on efficiency instead of power

New Accord have 2.0 Turbo (Civic Type R engine tuned differently), 10 speed auto and Honda Sensing, not sure will it be here or not but, the spec eats Optima GT. Just waiting for availability & price.

Assemble here does not mean manufacture here. Important vital parts are brought in from the actual country they are from. Only simple things and not so technical parts are manufactured locally. Leather seats are sub to local vendors.

The people here don't see any difference between Passat and Optima reliability and long term ownership which is why VW beats the Korean car sales. Do you know that Korean marketing staff been attacking VW unreliable for the past few years but failed. Only end up Japanese being the winner at the end.

People would take Passat 1.8TSI at rm158k vs Optima GT rm180k. If Passat 2.0T at rm189k, people would top up 9k for Passat. Since both future also similar, they would take the Passat that has better FC, better ride and comfort. Nothing beats conti in NVH and handling.


FYI, Volvo technology derived from Ford and Mazda with their own recipe. Volvo is actually more reliable than VW, probably beats Korean too.

This new Camry with new dual vvti probably GDI is on its way to launch in America in 1-2 months time before summer ends. Existing Camry is losing to Accord in local market , Toyota will surely launch this new Camry early to get back into fight maybe 2 months after US release. US Camry 2.5L is powered by 8 speed conventional gearbox. Hope we get 8AT too. Camry 2.0L, could be 6AT or miraculously 8AT if Toyota suddenly generous.

If Camry gives us 2.0T at rm180k, ofcourse will sell. Not because of performance but secured long term ownership with good RV.

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Jun 20 2017, 11:05 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

i doubt 2.0 turbo will reach here. if honda still got sell 3.5l v6 accord like many years ago then it's possible.

most likely 1.5 turbo with 190hp replacing the 2.4

Electronic parking brake requires electricity to operate. Since it could release parking brake without having to release, it means it is linked to multiplexer or ECM which is not good failsafe and not practical nor reliable. When car is old, electronic problem, it means there's possibility that driver cannot engage or disengage the parking brake? Foot parking brake and handbrake are at least reliable for long term.

As usual, the Koreans and their Malaysian principals are all delusional.

If Camry 2.0 turbo reach here it will be priced >rm200K.

This optima GT is new model launched in 2016, not the old one, just that have some design semblance. If you read up history, the new passat was internationally launched late 2014. It was actually the passat that was later into the game.

Honda will definitely turbocharge all the variants from civic onwards, they can be experimental in doing so for the city/jazz if they want to. That's how they want to one up Toyota and be one step ahead in engine development department.

Drive-E is new development after getting Geely money la, gearbox from Aisin = Toyota

If really reference from Ford during the time of development, it will be more fuel guzzling.

America's Camry version is never the same as the Japanese/global version, only the basic chassis engineering is the same. They have their own development and design bespoke to the markets there. And seems like they are putting in Lexus design elements in it, may look aggressive to the intended market here. Honda looking like this more acceptable, rather than toyota.

What we should be looking at is the japanese camry. So not possible that the camry will be launched/assembled in time with the 2 months timeframe after US launch you stated earlier. Malaysia is usually quite late into the game, and need to coordinate with Thailand's operation to optimise and coordinate supply chain in the region. If Thailand on, singapore got, then will only be Malaysia's turn.

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jun 21 2017, 11:18 AM

The Japs tend to give us old technology. How long has Toyota socked Camry buyers with 4 speed AT? I think it was up to the previous model before the existing Camry model. Now Koreans have started to turbo their engines and Japs are playing catch-up. The Honda Civic and new CRV are a start but where is Toyota? Still thinking they can leverage on their brand name to give us old technology? But come to think of it with people saying they will buy an outdated Camry instead of an Optima GT for the same price I think Toyota may be right.

Having a turbocharger doesn't mean that it is latest technology, but it is the trend now. It gives performance but the fuel consumption will end up just slightly better than similar powered (albeit larger cc NA engine). The fuel savings only occur during super low engine loads or when idling. Other than these small condition frame, fuel consumption is thrown out. In any given set of driving condition, after taking out some mechanical loss from internal components, weight savings and also transmission loss, real fuel consumption savings are really REAL when there is increased valve control and gains in thermodynamic efficiency. And as we know, within the past decade or 2, the thermodynamic efficiency gains in combustion engines are nothing to be proud of, but valve timing controls did make a leap.

I feel that real genuine approachable gains in the current environment can be found in camless engines such as the Freevalve concept/Qoros Qamfree. Power band can be wider and higher, no cam components means lesser component friction and the engine will be noticeably lighter from taking out these mechanical cam components. Proton could have made a desperate ditch effort in employing that.

But anyway, most people just want driving appliances that are durable. And the perception of toyota/honda on that in the world is rock solid. Used to be diamond solid, but new generation buyers are willing to try other stuffs rather than the conventional default choice. Nothing wrong with that, but markets with more conventional tastes are missing out on new developments.