Kia has revealed their plug-in hybrid concept - the Kia Ray - at the Chicago Motor Show
Kia has revealed the Kia Ray Concept at the Chicago Motor Show, a plug-in hybrid with a 750 mile range and EV-only mode.
A few weeks ago we reported on a tease from Kia of the Kia Ray Concept they were taking along to Detroit’s lower key motor show sibling – the Chicago Motor Show. And true to their word they revealed the Kia Ray at Chicago – and a convincing Prius rival it looks.
Instead of the stodgy mainstream hybrids churned out to date by (mainly) the Japanese, the Kia looks like a breath of fresh air. It seems Kia has decided a hybrid doesn’t need to look lumpy and boring but can look fresh and interesting.
Although only a concept, we believe that the technology in the Ray Concept will first of all find a home in the new Kia Cee’d due in a couple of years. It seems as if Kia has no intention of having a seperate ‘Eco’ range, but wants to offer plug-in hybrid options across its range.
The Ray Concept gets a 1.4 litre, 150bhp petrol engine and a 78kW electric motor, which can work as a combined unit or together. Which means the Kia Ray has the ability to run in electric-only mode for 50 miles but has a full range of up to 750 miles.
Despite using similar drag reducing elements as other hybrids, the Kia Ray still conspires to look like a modern mainstream car, rather than having ‘Look at me – I’m Green’ looks. It has a very low drag coefficient (0.25), skinny 20″ wheels with low rolling resistance tyres and a smooth one-piece underbody. It also has roof-mounted solar cells which generate power to help run the ancillaries. The only downside – for us – is the use of a CVT ‘box, which takes away the pleasure of the ‘Drive’.
If we have to go the hybrid route, at least Kia are making their hybrid look appealing. Which helps.
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