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SUPERCHARGED DIESEL HYBRID CONCEPT GOES ON SHOW

Kia Claims T-Hybrid Powertrain Will Improve Performance and Fuel Economy

At this years Paris Motor Show, which goes from the October 4th to October 19th 2014, Kia Motors has unveiled its 48 volt hybrid with electric supercharging. Those attending the event can get a preliminary look at Kia’s new mild hybrid powertrain technology, before it goes into mass production. The 168-hp (125 kW) FWD powertrain combines a 1.7-liter CRDi turbo diesel inline four-cylinder with a small electric motor and fits snugly into the Optima T-Hybrid concept car. The new motor is powered by a 48-volt lead-carbon battery, which Kia insists holds several advantages over the more ubiquitous lithium-ion battery, in that it doesn’t require active cooling and is easier to recycle (traditional lead batteries are 100 percent recyclable).

The new electric supercharger works with the current turbocharger to deliver greater torque and power numbers across the speed spectrum, but particularly at low engine speeds. Kia is still fine tuning the powertrain and does not have fully verifiable performance and fuel economy figures to hand just yet. However, provisional figures suggest the diesel-electric mild hybrid setup can increase power by 15 to 20 percent while lowering CO2 emissions below 100 g/km and raising fuel economy to 56 mpg (4.2 L/100 km), which is a tangible improvement on the conventional 1.7-liter turbo diesel engine that currently powers the Optima.

According to Michael Cole, COO of Kia Motors Europe, “In [the] future, our mild hybrid powertrain could offer Kia customers greater performance and lower running costs, without sacrificing the qualities they expect of a Kia car – enjoyable handling, a comfortable ride and high quality.”

SUPERCHARGED DIESEL HYBRID CONCEPT GOES ON SHOW

Details

  • Paris, France
  • Kia Motors

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