All-electric Kia Venga Electric Vehicle Concept Car

It features an electric motor with top power of 80 kW and maximum torque of 280 Nm. Showcasing Kia’s ‘EcoDynamics’ range of fuel-saving vehicles at Geneva, Venga Electric Vehicles includes a twin-pack 24 kWh battery using innovative LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) technology that offers numerous advantages over other battery types, and provides a driving range of 180 km on a single charge.

Under the quick recharging cycle (50 kW), the battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 20 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100 percent power is attained after eight hours.

Venga EV is a front-wheel drive vehicle with the electric powertrain placed within the existing engine bay, while the battery pack is located under the trunk floor. Venga EV is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100 kph in 11.8 seconds, and reaching a top speed of 140 kph.

Venga EV represents Kia Motors’ continuing commitment to earth-positive transport management and will mark a new beginning in the company’s supply of eco-friendly vehicles.

European premiere of Kia Ray ‘plug-in’ hybrid sedan concept

After making its world premiere at the recent Chicago Auto Show, the 4.4-metre long Kia Ray concept car now makes its European debut at the Geneva Show. This ultra-sleek, plug-in hybrid four-door sedan can run for more than 80 km (50 miles) solely on electric power and achieve a range of 1,200 kilometres (746 miles) on a single tank of fuel, thanks to fuel economy of 1.398 l/100km (202 mpg).

Styled in California, the Kia Ray concept has a futuristic body, which combines sophisticated and sleek lines with functionality and improved fuel economy, and features innovative curved hexagonal roof-top solar cells which provide a trickle charge that helps operate a cooling fan to reduce cabin temperatures when the vehicle is parked.

Clean, flush surfaces, a flowing hood and roof profile, pronounced rear shoulders ending in a higher trunk lid, and careful attention to detailing combine to reduce the Ray’s drag figure to just Cd 0.25.

Under the bonnet, Kia’s plug-in hybrid powertrain features a 1.4-litre Gamma engine fitted with GDI (gasoline direct injection) technology and tuned to produce 115 ps. A 78 kW electric motor is mounted between the engine and transmission, boosting combined power to a maximum of 153 ps. The Kia Ray is tuned to reach a top speed of 175 kph.

Depending on driving conditions, power is sent to the front wheels from the gasoline engine or the electric motor, or both in combination. Inside the trunk, Ray is equipped with a high-capacity LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) battery and cooling system, together with the charger unit and plug-in port.

To celebrate the world premiere of the all-new Kia Sportage at the 80th Salon International de l’Auto in Geneva today (Tuesday), Kia Motors Corporation will be displaying three examples of its latest crossover vehicle in Switzerland.

The all-new Sportage heads an impressive Kia line-up at the auto show, where Kia is also placing major focus on its environmentally-friendly ‘EcoDynamics’ sub-brand with the world premiere of the electric-powered Venga EV concept and the European debut of the Kia Ray ‘plug-in’ hybrid sedan concept car.

"Kia’s powerful presence at Geneva will embody three premieres and highlight our brand’s stylish design and world-class engineering. With the all-new Sportage, we have created a five-seater crossover with maximized customer appeal. It is urban-friendly and fully in tune with changing consumer expectations and demands," commented Hyoung-Keun Lee, President, Kia Motors Corporation.

"During the current global economic downturn, Kia products have maintained their appeal to consumers and enabled us to increase our market share in many regions. Last year we delivered more than 1.65 million vehicles to customers, an increase of 20%. This year, I am confident that the all-new Sportage, new Venga, new Sorento, Soul and the increasingly popular cee’d and Forte ranges, will lead a successful Kia sales drive around the world to attract more and more newcomers to our brand," concluded President Lee.

All-new Kia Sportage – the Urban-friendly Crossover

With a new bodyshell, new engines and fresh, bold styling that introduces a new kind of dynamic aesthetic, the latest Kia Sportage is an urban-friendly crossover for today’s families – consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2.

Longer, wider and lower than the previous model, the all-new design successfully retains the key SUV features which made the second generation Kia Sportage so popular.

Under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, the Kia design teams have created a third-generation Sportage incorporating Kia’s new design DNA and many features from the 2007 Kia Kue concept car.

The 4.4-metre long new Sportage is sleeker and lighter than the previous model, with an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.37 (down from 0.40) and a significant weight loss of 91 kg compared with the previous model – enhancing fuel economy and refinement.

When the full range of new Sportage models is ‘on sale’ in Europe later this year, it will be available (depending on country) with four engines (two petrol and two diesel, covering a 115 ps to 163 ps power spread), 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions and two-wheel or all-wheel drive. In Europe, fuel-stretching Start/Stop technology will reduce CO2 emissions to as low as 138 g/km.

Kia Motors Corporation, a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart, was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. Nearly 1.5 million vehicles a year are produced in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries.

Kia today has over 40,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$14.5 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA — the governing body of the FIFA World Cup — as well as a EUROTOP partner of UEFA. Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan — "The Power to Surprise" — represents the company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation. 

www.kiamotors.com