Latest Optima K5 enters
NJANUARY 2014
AZA Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in Malaysia, launched the highly-anticipated New Kia Optima K5 last week.
Set to be a game-changer in the D-Segment of the market, the New Kia Optima K5 is positioned for consumers under 40 who prioritise family comfort and styling as a form of self-expression in an affordably priced vehicle.
“The New Kia Optima K5 has been one of the most anticipated model launches in Malaysia and will play a pivotal part in growing Naza Kia Malaysia’s sales volume this year.
“Premium amenities and convenience options make the New Kia Optima K5 an impressive player in the competitive D-segment market,” said Roshdy Hassan, General Manager of Operations of Naza Kia Malaysia.
“With the previous Optima K5 having accumulated awards such as ‘Best of the Best’ at the 2011 Red Dot Design Awards and the People’s Choice Car of the Year at the New Straits Times (NST) – Maybank Car of the Year 2012, we are confident that the New Kia Optima K5 will eclipse its predecessor with its own acclaim and recognition.”
First unveiled at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, the New Kia Optima K5 improves on an already iconic design by refining the Optima’s sculpted, high-end appearance.
The front and rear has a new bumper and headlight design offset by Kia’s signature tabbed grille embellished with gloss black hexagonal tabs.
The vehicle’s bold stance and aerodynamic shape are further accentuated by updated rear diffusers and a sweeping sharp edge trunk lid design.
Lighting up the Europeaninspired design are striking front LED positioning and fog lamps, along with clear, newly designed LED combination rear lamps.
The redesigned seat structure offers better seat and knee support complete with premium leather seat upholstery. Activating the Optima’s push button ignition brings to life a 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen instrument cluster with rear view camera and an 8-speaker Infinity sound system as well as Bluetooth hands-free function, CD player, AUX, USB and iPod connectivity.
The New Kia Optima K5 comes well equipped with a generous roster of first in its class features. Both front seats are air ventilated where a ventilation fan blows air through the seat surface for a cooler and more comfortable ride.
As the first Kia vehicle equipped with the Drive Mode Select feature on the racing-inspired D-shaped steering wheel, the system primarily alters the transmission shift timing, throttle mapping and steering wheel weight for its three modes: Normal, Eco and Sport.
Other premium features include an Electronic Parking Brake, customisable 8-way power driver seat with memory seat and 4-way power passenger seat, auto-wiper with rain sensor, hydrophobic glass and panoramic sunroof.
Powering the car is a 2.0-litre CVVL NU engine which produces 165PS and 196Nm of torque that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The front suspension is fitted with Macpherson Struts with Coil Spring to improve ride quality while the rear suspension is fitted with a Multi-Link suspension with Gas Shock Absorber which incorporates both good ride and good handling in the same vehicle.
To ensure a quiet driving experience, the New Kia Optima K5’s road noise is now lowered by 3.3dB thanks to the enhanced structure of the 18-inch alloy wheels and other areas.
Safety-wise, the New Kia Optima K5 comes with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brake-Force System (EBD), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), four front and four rear parking sensors Assist System, speed and impact sensing auto door lock, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), ISOFIX lock-in child seats anchoring and four auto powered and up/down windows with safety auto pinching.
The New Kia Optima K5 has achieved a five-star safety score for NHTSA safety tests in the United States.
Priced on-the-road with insurance at RM149,888, the new Optima K5 comes in four new colours which are Snow White Pearl, Satin Metal, Aurora Black and Smokey Blue.