Kia revealed the new Kia Optima
mild hybrid show car at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on 2 October, the first
application and demonstration of the brand’s innovative new mild hybrid
powertrain.
The Kia Optima T-Hybrid (turbo hybrid)
concept is powered by the model’s existing 1.7-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine,
paired with a small electric motor, powered by a 48V lead-carbon battery.
View:
Photos of the Day: Kia's
Diesel-Electric Concept Car
The
diesel-electric powertrain concept, which was previewed at the 2014 Geneva
Motor Show, enables the Optima T-Hybrid show car to be driven in electric-only
mode at low speeds and when cruising, with deceleration serving to recharge the
battery pack.
Lead-carbon
batteries were chosen for the mild hybrid powertrain as, unlike lithium-ion
batteries, they require no active cooling and are easier to recycle at the end
of the unit’s lifecycle.
The
vehicle features a zero-emissions stop-start system, and a new belt-driven
starter generator replaces the conventional alternator, meaning the engine can
restart with almost no noise or vibration.
Installing
the powertrain in the Optima sedan has enabled engineers to fit a smaller
vehicle battery and starter motor, enhancing weight distribution and handling.
The
system also allows the installation of an innovative electric supercharger for
the CRDi engine, in addition to the conventional turbocharger, providing
improved power and torque at all engine speeds.
The
electric supercharger in particular helps to boost torque and engine response
at low engine speeds.
Still
under development, no specific performance or fuel economy figures are
confirmed for the powertrain or its application in the Optima T-Hybrid show
car.
However,
Kia’s engineers are targeting
a significant reduction in CO2 tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption and a
power increase of between 15 to 20 percent for any model which could be
equipped with the new powertrain. Currently, the Optima’s 136ps 1.7-litre
engine produces CO2 emissions of 128 g/km (when fitted with ISG stop-start).
“In
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.
Demonstrated
for the first time in the Optima T-Hybrid, the technology will lower the total
cost of ownership of our cars, yet still keep them affordable as an outright
purchase for customers,” commented Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe.
“The
new mild hybrid system is our flagship technology for improving the efficiency
of our internal combustion-powered models. In future, technology such as this
will help Kia further reduce
fleet emissions in Europe,” added Cole.
While
under development, no plans have been confirmed yet for mass production of the Kia Optima T-Hybrid show
car. The T-Hybrid powertrain remains under consideration for new Kia models in the
future.
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