As promised Kia Motors revealed their new concept car at the 2010 Chicago Autoshow. The Ray is a plugin hybrid model and designwise it might seem a bit unfortunate, but the main reason it’s been developed it to showcase the company’s fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. It’s built on Kia Forte’s platform and hints at their future compact sedans.

Kia has put their previous expireinces from making the Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the Forte LPI Hybrid, the petrol Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid into good use to make the best possible system for the Ray. And based on the numbers they claim, you have to say they’ve done it properly!

Kia Ray is powered by an all-aluminium 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 1.4-litre engine along with a 78 kW electric motor, both mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It is also fitted with engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift indicator to encourage economical driving and custom-designed low-rolling resistance tyres . And since the body is made form recycled and lightweight materials, it delivers astonishing efficiency.

In its full eco mode, Kia Ray manages an unbelievable 202.3 mpg which means it can cover a distance of 1,200 kilometres (746 miles)!

Being green has also affected the way they designed the interior. Inspired by a green house, they’ve used eco-friendly recycled materials in cool white tones to create a sense of purity while also reflecting the heat of the sun, keeping the temperature down and reducing the use of air conditioner energy.

Front and rear seats made of light-weight composites, mounted on the side sills, create a floating effect in the cabin and utilize elastomeric materials to support body weight. It also has a lightweight touch screen instrument layout and a green Infinity Audio system with special loudspeakers which use 50 percent less energy!

Specifications