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Plug-in Kia ready to gun for Prius?

Hi-tech new hybrid promises range of 746 miles and effective 202mpg fuel economy

Kia Ray

By Sam Hardy

15th February 2010

Meet the car that’s set to turn up the heat on the Toyota Prius. This is Kia’s new plug-in hybrid, called the Ray.

Revealed at the Chicago Motor Show, the concept features a powertrain that will propel the new Cee’d hatch in 2012. It’s a 151bhp 1.4-litre direct-injection petrol engine boosted by a 78kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.

This drives the front wheels through a CVT automatic gearbox similar to that in Honda’s Insight. It has a range of up to 50 miles on electricity alone, or 746 miles by using the petrol engine.

The Ray also gets some clever energy-saving features, including an engine alternator management system, and an indicator that tells you when to change gear to encourage economical driving. Specially designed low-rolling-resistance tyres, incorporating a hexagon pattern, improve efficiency further. The front headlamps even slide back to create openings for better air intake when the petrol engine is being used.

Incredibly, this means the Ray can return 202mpg in plug-in mode, yet still has a top speed of 109mph. The head-turning body features a slippery, aerodynamic shape, low ride height and long, high tail to reduce drag. It also gets an enclosed underfloorand narrow 20-inch wheels.

Composite mesh seats help to keep weight down, while access to the back is by rear-hinged ‘suicide’ doors. Other neat features include a Microsoft-powered infotainment system that allows users to select music and make phone calls via voice activation.

The Ray also gets roof-mounted solar panels, which power a fan to keep the interior cool in hot conditions.

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8 Comments

WOW!

If Kia can produce this at a decent price, and keep the styling close to this then it will surely knock the prius into last week!
Styling is fantastic, almost Maserati-esq at the rear, I want one!

By wh05apk on 16 February, 2010, 7:03am

Sure

As always.. korean automakers bring an amazing concept and promise the world everything, and then when it goes to production we can't see any of the concept lines in it.
The days of amazing concepts are long gone.. we look for a great concept that will happen. think production.

By manexasia on 16 February, 2010, 11:45am

I can't wait for the first....

The first person to say, "Sorry, but my car crashed" while on the phone to some-one!
The reason: "Other neat features include a Microsoft-powered infotainment system"

(Sorry, but for a moment I have to follow the stereotype of Microsoft products!)

By tonyj_stirling on 16 February, 2010, 2:19pm

Words escape me...

This is about the ugliest looking car I've seen. If the general public seems to think that this would be ok, then lord help us.

By setharp4 on 16 February, 2010, 3:30pm

Better-looking than a Prius

While the rear-quarter view will take some getting used to (if any portion needs a redesign before production, that would be it), I like the front-quarter view. Overall, it's way better looking than the Prius or new Insight. I could actually see myself in one of these.

By Sumanster on 16 February, 2010, 7:33pm

Concepts are always pie in the sky.If Kia can deliver on the MPG in a car that looks as good as the Ceed they are onto a winner.I would buy one if the price is right,and i have never even thought of test driving a Kia .

By toycollector on 16 February, 2010, 8:00pm

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

The prius won't ever win any beauty contests but then again it is what it is- a boring ole' sedan peoplemover. This concept is supposed to be of a sports car? The styling to me is a bit reminiscent of a commode or a turn of the century bed pan. I mean seriously- the rear of the car looks just awful. At least with the Volt/Ampera concept it was an attractive, stunning design.

Again- my opinion, but this is a rather awful looking design.

By setharp4 on 16 February, 2010, 11:33pm

Concept>>>>Production

In most cases, the design of the concept car is significantly watered down before it reaches production. One can only hope that it holds true for this car.

It's FUGLY!

By snappyuk on 18 February, 2010, 10:58am

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Kia Ray
Kia Ray
Kia Ray

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