Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept revealed ahead of Paris debut

The Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept is a mild hybrid version of the Optima with the normal 1.7 litre diesel engine and small electric motor. Debuts Paris 2014.

It looks like Kia is ready to push the start button on a new range of mild hybrids with the reveal of the Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept ahead of its debut later this week at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.

The new mild hybrid powertrain isn’t going to make an enormous difference to power or economy, but in a world where taxation gets based on official CO2 figures it will make the Optima more appealing to company car buyers.

The Optima hybrid gets the normal 1.7 litre diesel engine and adds a small electric motor powered by a 48V lead-carbon battery which will be enough for short running at low speeds on electric power alone or allow some electric ‘cruising’ on motorways.

Although there are no official figures yet, it’s expected the hybrid setup will increase power by up to 20 per cent and lead to markedly lower CO2 and fuel consumption figures.

Kia has also fitted the Optima T-Hybrid with a belt-driven starter generator which should allow the stop-start cycles to be accomplished without the noise and vibration of a conventional system.

The Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept will debut at the Paris Motor Show this week and is likely to get the green light for production soon after.