Kia showcases eco-friendly performance concept

• Fuel consumption improved to just 3.9 litres/100 km
• CO2 emissions reduced to a super-low 104 g/km

Kia Motors Corporation is staging the World Premiere of a new ´green performance´ concept car at this week´s Frankfurt International Motor Show. Called the ´eco_cee´d´, the new concept is a development of the highly acclaimed Kia cee´d hatchback and aims to achieve better fuel consumption, with fewer emissions - while still delivering a lively, spirited drive.

Based on the three-door pro_cee´d hatchback fitted with the lively yet frugal 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine, the new eco_cee´d concept car has been designed to enhance the ´green-performance´ potential of the standard model. A combination of small but significant modifications to the base vehicle result in much improved fuel consumption (just 3.9 litres/100km) and reduced CO2 emissions (just 104 g/km).

Maximum power remains 115 ps and the fully independent suspension and all-disc braking system are unchanged, so the eco_cee´d is just as much fun to drive as the regular production model.

Aerodynamic enhancements cut drag to Cd 0.29

The impressive performance, fuel economy and emissions figures of the eco_cee´d are largely the result of improved aerodynamics which bring the drag coefficient down from Cd 0.33 (for both the standard five-door cee´d and three-door pro_cee´d), to just Cd 0.29, representing a significant improvement of 11 per cent.

Following extensive computer modelling and wind-tunnel testing, Kia engineers were able to identify specific areas for aerodynamic improvement. With the standard cee´d bodyshell already competitively ´slippery´ in terms of drag, Cd enhancements were made through lowering the suspension by 15 mm, fitting under-floor coverings to the front, middle and rear of the vehicle, adopting plastic wheel arch linings with ´spoiler´ lips to smooth airflow around the wheels, plus a low-drag front grille to improve air flow over the vehicle.

Finally, eco_cee´d is equipped with ultra-low rolling resistance Michelin Energy 205/50 R17 tyres, mounted on special alloy wheels that generate minimum disturbance to the airflow along the sides of the car.

Enhanced electronics and reduced engine friction

The eco_cee´d is equipped with a new second-generation 1.6 U diesel engine and already meets the future Euro 5 emissions standards scheduled for introduction in January 2011.

Changes to maximise fuel efficiency and reduce emissions include: reduced boost pressure, enhanced injection timing, modified residual gas rates and reductions in internal engine friction. All these measures have improved engine efficiency and thus helped reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

To maximise the value of the aerodynamic and powertrain improvements, eco_cee´d is fitted with Kia´s new ISG (Idle Stop&Go) system, including Smart battery Power Management developed jointly with Bosch. This system automatically recharges the battery during deceleration and switches the engine off when the car is stopped and the engine is at idle. In typical city driving conditions, with constant stop-start motoring, the ISG system dramatically cuts fuel consumptions and emissions.

A ´smart´ starter motor linked to the ECU monitors the car´s status at all times. When the car comes to a stop, such as at traffic lights, the ECU uses information from various other control systems around the vehicle to decide if switching the engine off is appropriate. If for any reason there is insufficient energy available in the car´s battery for the next start-up, the system will abort its Stop&Go programme. While the car is stationary, this system prevents unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions. When first gear is selected, the engine is instantly re-started.

More gears, lower revs, lower consumption

Fitted with a new six-speed manual gearbox instead of the five-speed used on the standard car, the eco_cee´d concept benefits from redesigned gear ratios. Higher ratios for fourth, fifth and sixth gears reduce engine speed when cruising, to improve fuel consumption and reduce NVH at motorway speeds. First, second and third gears, however, retain the same ratios as the original model to ensure that the dynamic performance of the standard car accelerating from standstill is carried over.

To further guarantee that the eco_cee´d engine and transmission are always operating at high efficiency, an ECU-controlled ´Shift Indicator´ is fitted in the instrument cluster. This displays the optimum gear choice for the speed at which the car is travelling, and indicates the ideal moment (based on road speed and engine speed) at which to change gear.

Weight Reductions

The eco_cee´d is equipped with a tyre repair kit instead of the regular ´temporary´ spare wheel to reduce weight compared with the standard pro_cee´d model.

Towards a greener future

Compared with the current standard cee´d, the fuel consumption for eco_cee´d has been cut by approximately 0.8 litres/100km (17 percent), as well as cutting CO2 emissions by 20 g/km.

As a ´green-performance´ concept car the eco_cee´d demonstrates a part of Kia´s vision for the way ahead with future engine developments for next generation environmentally friendly and fuel efficient production models - without losing sight of customer expectations for car with a sporty design and fun-to-drive performance.

Download full Press Pack
The Kia Motors Press Pack containing full details of all the exhibits at the Frankfurt Show can be found at www.kiapress.com- click on ´Europe´ and navigate to Press kits / Motorshows / Frankfurt 2007.

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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 29 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiapress.com) 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.

Kia´s 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in nine countries produce more than 1.3 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 165 countries. Kia today has 33,000 employees and annual revenues of US$19 billion.

Kia is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. From 2007 to 2014, Kia will be an official automotive partner of FIFA - governing body of soccer´s FIFA World Cup. Kia boosted its football links this year with three new sponsorships of major teams that will see the Kia logo appearing in the UEFA Champions League - FC Girondins de Bordeaux, FC Brussels and Atletico de Madrid.

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

Mr Panu Vainamo
Tel 0049 69 850 928 352 Email pvainamo@kia-europe.com

Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 11, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany.
Tel 0049 69 850 928 352 Fax 0049 69 850 928 399