Kia Motors ‘Ray’ Plug-in Hybrid concept debuts in Chicago

Kia Motors has unveiled its ‘Ray’ Plug-in Hybrid concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, show-casing its innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies.

Following the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the Forte LPI Hybrid, the
petrol Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid, the ‘Ray’ concept is a bold new collaboration between design and engineering and inventively showcases a
futuristic four-seat compact sedan based on the Kia Forte platform.

Designed with lightweight and recycled materials, as well as hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel to power extra lighting or climate control systems, the Kia ‘Ray’ boasts a range of up to 1,200 kilometres (746 miles).

“It is important to imagine early in the design process what people will want in the future from a green perspective because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies,” said Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer for the Kia Motors
Corporation.

“Being green doesn’t have to be an obvious statement anymore and the Kia ‘Ray’
exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today’s environmentally conscious consumers,” he added.

The stylish, aerodynamic ‘Ray’ combines design and engineering for maximum efficiency, incorporating clean, flush surfaces minimizing any unneeded edges, a flowing profile and a pronounced rear shoulder ending in a slightly higher deck for reduced drag.

The ‘Ray’ also features touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering, ‘cool-glazing’ solar glass and a lithium-polymer battery – all possible indicators of future technology from Kia.  As a plug-in hybrid, ‘Ray’ is designed to cover driving distances of more than 80 km (50 miles) using just its electric motor on a single charge, and has a fuel economy rating of only 1.398 l/100 km (202 mpg) and a total range of 1,200 km (746 miles).

Striking Aircraft-Inspired Exterior Design

A lowered mono-volume shape and a strong, curvaceous silhouette give the Kia ‘Ray’ concept better aerodynamic properties than taller profile hybrid vehicles.  

Strong, lightweight materials are used to support the EcoDynamics philosophy starting with a tabbed LED Kia badge covered with a single piece of glass that extends over the hood and another piece of glass that extends from the cowl of the windshield to the rear header to offer occupants a spacious, airy feeling.

A tapering greenhouse cabin and a longer ‘tail’ improve aerodynamics while reduction of drag is attained through a one-piece, smooth-as-glass, integrated underbody panel,
narrow tire width and flush wheel design.

Front driving lamps slide back to create openings for better air intake when the petrol
engine is being used and a sliding U-shaped deck-lid extends from the rear of the vehicle at higher speeds for improved coefficient of drag.

Instead of side-view mirrors and door handles, motion-detector cameras are mounted flush with the body for safe lane changing procedures and opening of doors.  The result is an airframe on wheels.  The front door opening features a forward cutout design for the feet allowing ease of entry.  The purposeful rear-hinged coach doors add a stylish touch and their height and shape improves entry and exit.

The ‘Ray’ employs new ‘cool car’ technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials to dramatically reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the
interior cool will reduce air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions.  When the
vehicle is parked in the sun, the solar cells provide a trickle charge that helps operate a cooling fan to reduce interior temperatures.

Light and Airy Interior

The ‘Ray’ interior is comprised of 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.

Fresh and sustainable trim materials combine with a lightweight touch screen instrument layout featuring a touch screen push-button start and gear shift toggle.  The centre console features the all-new Kia UVO powered by Microsoft® advanced infotainment system
providing voice- and touch-activated controls for simple management of music files and hands-free mobile phone operation.

Adding to the list of green technology features ‘Ray’ also employs the all-new GreenEdge™ system by Infinity® Audio.  The loudspeakers reduce power consumption and dissipation through lower self heating temperatures coupled with increased acoustic performance providing a better synergy between amplifier, speaker and vehicle.  The
amplifier used also reduces the idle power consumption by 50% of current Infinity
speakers and employs a lower dissipation design for significant savings in overall weight.

To reduce overall weight through materials and design the hexagon/honeycomb shape can be found throughout the cabin, used as a repeated design element while tying the interior theme together.  Used also in the door inserts and seats, this lightweight and breathable mesh serves to reduce overall kerb weight as well as being a unique design element.

Other materials found in the cabin are soft to the touch with a matt finish, including white leather, offering a more luxurious, but inviting and tranquil atmosphere.

Hybrid Architecture

The ‘Ray’ Concept is designed to be powered by an all-aluminium 153-horsepower
Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 1.4-litre engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), used in combination with a 78 kW electric
motor.

Depending on driving conditions, power is sent to the front wheels from the petrol engine, the electric motor, or both together.

The ‘Ray’ is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift indicator to encourage economical driving.  Custom-designed low-rolling resistance tyres featuring a hexagon tread pattern in narrow (195/50R20) 20-inch diameter construction, also improve efficiency.


Ends

Editors’ Notes

Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing, and service arm of Kia Motors Corporation.  With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 25 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – 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.  
    Over 1.5 million vehicles a year are produced at 13 manufacturing and assembly
operations in eight countries.  These vehicles are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries.
    Kia today has more than 42,000 employees and annual revenues of almost US$14.6 billion.  It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup.
    Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan – ‘The Power to Surprise’ – represents the company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

Press Contact

Ilona Tzudnowski
PR Manager Europe
Tel.:  +49 69 850 928 357     
E-mail:  i.tzudnowski@kia-europe.com

Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 11
60486 Frankfurt, Germany