GENEVA — Kia's stand at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show is focused on fuel economy. The Korean brand's No. 3 concept will be joined by the Europe-only Cee'd Hybrid with ISG.
Kia is already fitting the Cee'd with its fuel-saving Idle Stop & Go system, which automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
Now the ISG system is only one of the advanced technologies featured on the Cee'd Hybrid. The hybrid has an upgraded version of Kia's 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine, mated to an electric motor that delivers an additional 20 horsepower and 77 pound-feet of torque, as well as a continuously variable transmission.
Kia says 0-60-mph acceleration takes less than 11.8 seconds, and top speed is 115 mph. Fuel economy is estimated at 49 mpg, and CO2 emissions are an ultralow 109 g/km.
Inside Line says: This seems like a sensible solution to the twin challenges of environment and economy. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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