Kia, the little car company that could, recently unveiled its Kia Ray concept vehicle. With 20 inch wheels and a solar cell imbued roof the concept is quite something to look at, using the same essential shape as the Prius and Leaf, an aerodynamic must for reasons of efficiency, the Ray makes intelligent use of solar cells to partially recharge the batteries, the Ray also features regenerative braking and plug-in capabilities. Using it’s litium-ion battery array the Ray can travel 50 mile on a full charge and is the capable of using the built in gasoline engine to travel a total range of 750 miles. If Kia can produce the Ray for the same or a slightly lower price point than the Prius/Leaf/Volt cars they will almost certainly find themselves a significant niche in the eco-green-car market.

KIA RAY / SPECIFICATIONS

Length 173.2 inches / 4,400 mm

Width 72.8 inches / 1,850 mm

Height 53.5 inches / 1,360 mm

Wheelbase 106.3 inches / 2,700 mm

Tyres 195/50 R20 low-rolling resistance

Engine

1.4-liter Gamma 153-hp GDI engine /

78kw electric motor

Transmission CVT/ fixed ratio

Batteries Lithium-ion polymer

Top Speed 109 mph

Fuel Economy (Pure HEV Mode)

77.6 mpg

Fuel Economy (Plug-in HEV Mode) 202.3 mpg

Vehicle Range 746 miles

Cd 0.25

Steering By-wire

Press Release

KIA LOOKS TO THE PLUG-IN FUTURE WITH “RAY” CONCEPT AT CHICAGO SHOW

As Governments and motorists keep up the interest levels in an electric-car future Kia Motors Corporation has revealed the first preview rendering of its latest concept car – called Ray – which will make its global debut at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show next month.

Styled by the team at Kia Design Centre America, the Kia Ray project was undertaken to demonstrate how Kia’s evolving design direction would be applied in the packaging of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

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The actual car will form the centre-piece of the Kia Motors America display at Chicago and the vehicle will contribute to Kia’s on-going development of alternative-fuel vehicles.

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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.

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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.