@Geneva: KIA Optima Hybrid

The all-new Optima Hybrid saloon makes its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show, raising Kia’s environmental credentials to a new level.

Taking Kia forward into its ‘EcoDynamics’ era, the Optima Hybrid, first shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November, is another major step towards the company’s goal of manufacturing and marketing environmentally-friendly personal transport for future generations.

A product of Kia’s Eco-Technology Research Institute near Seoul, together with the Namyang Research and Development facility the Optima Hybrid is a unique collaboration between numerous Kia facilities around the world.

The ‘full parallel hybrid system’ created for the Optima Hybrid will be further developed for use in forthcoming Kia models during the next decade.

Scheduled to begin mass production in September 2011, the Optima Hybrid employs a truly innovative Kia-developed hybrid powertrain that delivers a unique blend of performance – acceleration to 62 mph (100 kph) in 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 121 mph (195 kph) – plus class-leading fuel economy, achieving a 40.7% fuel consumption improvement compared with the standard US petrol version.

The Kia Optima Hybrid is equipped with an ingenious, simple and cost-effective ‘parallel hybrid system’. The 2.4-litre petrol engine is paired with a small electric motor and drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission – without the traditional torque converter.

A special clutch is fitted between the Optima Hybrid’s petrol engine and the electric motor, enabling the petrol engine to be de-coupled from the powertrain so the sleek saloon can be operated in zero-emissions, full-electric drive mode from standstill up to 62 mph. Furthermore, the system’s configuration does not require a high-capacity electric motor and generator, saving both weight and cost.

Credits: wilswong