Kia Motors America (KMA) has unveiled the Ray Plug-in Hybrid concept during a press conference at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, and its sub-brand coined 'EcoDynamics', to develop new fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies.
The company said that its vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge.
Ray is a four-seater sedan based on the Kia Forte platform and demonstrates a prospective plug-in hybrid vehicle configuration from the company.
The company said designed with recycled materials and hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel that power extra lighting or climate control systems, Ray is the fifth vehicle from the Irvine California-based Kia Design Center America (KDCA) to be revealed in the last year. The latest design from KDCA follows Kia vehicles Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and Sorento.
Ray features touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering, solar glass and a lithium-polymer battery. As a plug-in hybrid, the car is designed to reach driving distances of more than 50 miles (80km) using its electric motor on a single charge, and has a fuel economy rating of more than 202 miles per gallon (85.9km/l), and has a total range of 746 miles (1200km).
The company added that the Ray concept is designed to be powered by an all-aluminum 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) 1.4l 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 wheels from the gasoline engine, the electric motor, or both together. The Ray concept is front-wheel drive with a four-wheel independent suspension.
The Ray concept’s is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift up/down indicator to encourage economical driving. Custom-designed low-rolling resistance with a hexagon pattern, narrow 20-inch (195/50R20) tires also improve Ray’s efficiency, Kia said.
Peter Schreyer, chief design officer of Kia Motors, said: “It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process. People want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies.
“Being green doesn’t have to be an obvious statement anymore and Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today’s environmentally conscious consumers.”