Kia is set to unveil a new all-electric concept vehicle at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show.

The Korean carmaker has released preview pictures of the new model called Pop, which is set to make a splash at the biennial motor show.

Its manufacturer claims the car will continue its tradition of unveiling convention-challenging and design-led concept vehicle when it is revealed on September 30 at the show held –

Pop is a zero emission (while in use) city car, which at three metres long features a three seat layout.

Further information on the new vehicle is expected to be released at the show. The 2010 Paris Motor Show runs from the  September 30 to  October 17.

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Kia is set to launch an electric version of its supermini Picanto model in Europe within the next three years, Headlineauto reports.

According to the news agency, the Korean carmaker will put a new next generation Picanto on sale in 2011 and will then put electric versions into production in Korea by the following year.

The Picanto EV will be powered by a 50kw lithium polymer battery, preferred by the South Korean carmaker to lithium-ion batteries because they are smaller and produce more power, at least that’s according to Chi Young Jeong, senior research engineer at the company’s technical centre in Namyang.

The EV will be among a raft of eco-friendly technologies being rolled out by Kia in the coming months and years.

The Picanto will also be equipped with a new 1-litre, three-cylinder engine which in 2012 will be turbocharged to give a ‘hot’ version of the small car boasting 110bhp.

Last year Kia launched an LPG hybrid version of its Forte C-segment model on the domestic Korean market – a precursor to diesel hybrid systems that will come to Europe within the next two years, according to company insiders.

LPG is widely available in South Korea, is about half the price of petrol and is used by buses and taxi.

The Forte is the world’s first liquefied petroleum injection hybrid and the company’s first use of the lithium polymer battery.

It is a proprietary hybrid system as Kia did not want to licence the technology and will be further developed as a diesel hybrid.

Kia’s plug-in hybrid is currently being trialled by government fleets in South Korea and are expected on the market by the end of 2012 or early 2013.

The eco roll-out will be completed when Kia’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicles goes on sale later in the decade.

Joeng said that fuel cell vehicles are currently on trial in South Korea and the United States.

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Kia is looking to have 10,000 fuel cell vehicles on the road by 2015, according to motoring mag, What Car.

The Korean carmaker plans to sell between 1000 and 2000 fuel cell vehicles between now and 2012, it reports, although initially these will be offered to government bodies and research institutions for real world trials.

The carmaker first revealed a hydrogen fuel cell concept, the Borrego, back in 2008 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Featuring a 202-litre hydrogen storage tank located underneath the vehicle and ahead of the rear wheels, this research vehicle has a range of around 426 miles. Using a fuel cell stack and a supercapacitor to generate electricity to power the vehicle, the Borrego FCEV develops 154 bhp and has a top speed of 100mph.

No firm production details have yet been announced for the hydrogen-powered SUV and Kia has so far only revealed one other fuel cell vehicle- a model based on its popular Sportage vehicle.

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Take a look at the all-new Kia Optima – it is the Korean car maker’s replacement for the Magentis.

Built on an entirely new platform, the car will be launched across several markets, with the UK expected to see the Optima during 2011.

Designed at Kia’s studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California, the all-new Optima is longer, wider and lower than the Magentis it replaces and is based on an all-new midsize platform that allows for distinctive dimensions and proportions, while also providing a unique canvas for Kia’s global design team to pen a vehicle that stands apart from everything else in its segment.

“The Optima is a new strand in Kia’s evolving design DNA with a blend of simple and fluid lines and elegant but uncomplicated shapes that draw the attention of the eye in much the same fashion as a perfectly-tailored fine Italian suit,” commented Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer, Kia Motors Corporation.

“From the distinctive sweeping chrome accent that stretches through the C-pillars to the sleek greenhouse and flared wheel arches, every inch of the Optima projects a distinguished and refined style and extreme attention to detail,” adds Schreyer.

Importantly, the car heralds a new dawn for Kia as the company has confirmed it will be the first to feature a hybrid powertrain. However the hybrid-powered car has only been confirmed to launch in North American markets. The UK can expect a frugal 1.7 VGT CRDi diesel unit, alongside two new petrol engines – a 2.0 CVVL and powerful 2.4 MPI unit.

It is highly likely that the 1.7 litre diesel engine will have a number of ‘eco-dynamic’ variants available when launched. More news as and when we get it.

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Kia is debuting its first all-electric plug-in concept car – based on the just-arrived Venga – at the Geneva Motor Show this morning.

The Venga EV concept car is identical to the regular Venga B-segment MPV but features an electric motor producing 80 kW and maximum torque of 280 Nm.  Venga EV is capable of accelerating from standstill to 62mph in 11.8 seconds, and reaching a top speed of 87 mph.

Venga EV uses a twin-pack 24 kWh battery using innovative LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) technology that provides a driving range of 112 miles on a single charge. Under the quick recharging cycle (50 kW) the battery can be recharged to 80 per cent of its capacity within 20 minutes.  Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100 per cent power is attained after eight hours. The Venga EV has a front-wheel drive with the electric powertrain placed within the existing engine bay, while its battery pack is located under the boot floor.

The Korean carmaker is known for its development of hybrid and fuel cell concepts, but the Venga EV is the first time the carmaker has produced an all-electric car. As part of its drive towards producing more green cars, the brand also has on display at the Swiss show its cleanest yet version of the diesel-powered cee’d ecodynamics.  The new cee’d model achieves a significant 11 per cent reduction in emissions – down to just 98 g/km, compared with 110 g/km for the current cleanest cee’d. The new five-door hatchback is powered by Kia’s new ‘U2’ family 1.6-litre diesel engine, designed and engineered at Kia’s R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany and manufactured in Slovakia. The new cee’d makes use of Kia’s fuel-stretching Intelligent Stop and Go system and Eco Driving Guide – a gear-shift up/down indicator – is displayed in the cabin. No on sale date has yet been confirmed for the cee’d. 

The Korean carmaker- part of the Hyundai-Kia group-announced a near £2 billion of investment (4 trillion Korean Won) in ‘green growth’ last year, designed to propel the group forward to become one of the world’s top four manufacturers of low emission vehicles by 2012.

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Kia is showcasing its latest green car technology at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show this week.

The Korean carmaker is using the opportunity to display among other innovations, its plug-in hybrid concept called ‘Ray’. The show opened yesterday (10th) and runs until the February 21.

Based on the Kia Forte platform, the new Ray is displays a sleek and sophisticated coupe body, reminiscent of a up-market brand.

Designed with lightweight and recycled materials, as well as hexagonal solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel to power extra lighting or climate control systems, the Kia ‘Ray’ boasts a range of up to 746 miles.

The ‘Ray’ also features touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering, ‘cool-glazing’ solar glass and a lithium-polymer battery.  As a plug-in hybrid, the ‘Ray’ is designed to cover driving distances of more than 50 miles using just its electric motor on a single charge, and has a fuel economy rating of more than 202 miles per gallon for a total range of 746 miles.

Designed to be super aerodynamic, the Ray has a low profile and flowing design to eek out the extra miles. Strong, lightweight materials are used, a single piece of glass extends over the hood and another piece of glass extends from the cowl of the windshield to the rear header to offer occupants a spacious, airy feeling. 

A tapering greenhouse cabin and a longer ‘tail’ improve aerodynamics while reduction of drag is attained through a one-piece integrated underbody panel, narrow tyre width and flush wheel design. 

Instead of side-view mirrors and door handles, motion-detector cameras are mounted flush with the body for safe lane changing procedures and opening of doors.

The new hybrid model also incorporates ‘cool car’ technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials to dramatically reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the interior cool will reduce air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions.  When the vehicle is parked in the sun, the solar cells provide a trickle charge that helps operate a cooling fan to reduce interior temperatures.

The concept is designed to be powered by an all-aluminum 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 1.4-litre engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), used in combination with a 78kw electric motor. 

Depending on driving conditions, power is sent to the front wheels from the petrol engine, the electric motor, or both together.

The car is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift indicator to encourage economical driving. Custom-designed low-rolling resistance tyres featuring a hexagon pattern in narrow 20-inch (195/50R20) construction also improve efficiency.

Kia of course, has mentioned nothing as to when this car might begin production.

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Kia is to unveil a new plug-in hybrid at the forthcoming Chicago Auto Show, the carmaker has announced.

The unveiling will be the first preview of its latest concept car. Called Ray, the car will be unveiled to the world’s motoring press on February 11, ahead of the opening of the show to the public from February 12.

The show which takes place at McCormick Place, in Chicago, Illinois, will play host to the model, set to be the centre-piece of Kia’s display and will contribute to the carmaker’s on-going development of alternative-fuel vehicles.

Already Kia has pioneered potentially real-life fuel cell vehicles and has working prototypes operating in California and Korea. Additionally Kia has various hybrid-engined vehicles providing real-world data in various locations and plans to commercialise Liquefied Petroleum Gas hybrid vehicles in Korea within the next 12 months.

Currently no date has been set for hybrid Kia models to be put on sale in the UK but on-road testing of petrol and diesel hybrid vehicles is due to start in Britain this year.

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If Japan is leading the way with hybrid and electric technology, then Korea is surely the front-runner for LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injection) Hybrids.

Now, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has started a test run of LPI hybrids from Hyundai-Kia Motors as taxis – the test period began on December, 3.

According to reports, the Korea National Joint Conference of Taxi Association will select participating taxi companies and support the monitoring of its operation. Meanwhile, Hyundai-Kia will monitor the technologies including making an analysis of the vehicle components’ durability.

A total of 10 taxis will be deployed across five taxi companies in Seoul with the Korea LPG Association to support the supply of fuel for the taxis and the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Ministry of the Environment to offer administrative support.

As for the vehicles themselves, they are powered by an LPI Gamma engine displacing 1.6litres, as well as a pancake type permanent magnet synchronous motor and a continuously variable transmission. The Hyundai-Kia Elantra LPI hybrid electric vehicle emits just 99g/km of CO2 – that’s 90 per cent fewer emissions that a standard petrol powered Elantra.

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How do you know if a vehicle is environmentally friendly? Well how about if it has a certificate to tell you?

The new Kia K7 saloon car, which will be exported as the Cadenza, has received a carbon footprint certificate from the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute.

The Kia Cadenza will emit an estimated 29.5tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) throughout its life cycle with 11.8 per cent of those emissions to be produced during the sourcing and refining of raw materials, with 1.8 per cent produced during the vehicle assembly process, and 86.4 per cent produced by vehicle operation. The remaining 0.04 per cent is accounted for during final disposal.

Kia has expanded the life cycle assessment to its full line-up in 2006 to provide an evaluation of the environmental impact of its cars from cradle-to-grave. The certificate allows customers to evaluate one metric of the life cycle assessment before purchase.

As for the Cadenza itself – it benefits from a number of aerodynamic tweaks and engine efficiency improvements. It uses a six-speed automatic transmission as well as low rolling resistance tyres to minimise fuel consumption. The company now aims to create carbon footprint certificates for all of its vehicles.

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The green car innovations just keep on coming and now the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group has announced plans to add a diesel hybrid to its fleet.

The company, which already has both liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and petroleum hybrid offerings will attempt to commercialise a hybrid edition of one of its diesel models, according to a report in the Korea Times. The nation’s largest car maker made the revelation at the National Assembly on Monday, with Kim Hae-jin, the company’s managing director, stating that commercialisation will be established in 2011.

It is expected that Hyundai-Kia will focus on diesel hybrids rather than electric vehicles in the short-term. Kim outlined that electric cars will be produced in 2011 as well, but it will take five-six more years to churn them out and so the initial focus will be on diesel hybrid models.

Hyundai has already released hybrid editions of both the Avante and Forte saloon cars, and is also planning a hybrid version of the Sonata and Santa Fe.

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