Kia Eco Vehicles - Press Information - Paris Motor Show October 2008

Contents

1 Introduction
Four new models star in Kia’s ‘Green Zone’ at Paris

2 Kia cee’d with ISG (Idle Stop & Go)
New ‘Idle Stop & Go’ on sale with Kia cee’d from early 2009

3 Kia Soul Hybrid
Open-roof concept car shows Hybrid power for Kia Soul

4 Kia cee’d Hybrid
Prototype fleet of Kia cee’d Hybrids to begin testing

5 Kia Sportage FCEV
Kia brings fuel cell vehicle to Europe

6 Eco-Technology Research Institute Leads the Way
Diverse programmes tackle climate-change challenge

1. INTRODUCTION
Four new models star in Kia’s ‘Green Zone’ at Paris

The Kia cee’d ISG, Soul Hybrid, cee’d Hybrid and Sportage FCEV on display in Kia’s ‘Green Zone’ at Paris are the latest results of the corporation’s continuing and massive investment in eco-friendly technologies for the future.

Moving forwards from research vehicles to production vehicles, Kia Motors will progressively introduce a variety of ‘eco-friendly’ technologies across its model range from 2009 onwards.

Future production cars will take on board some of the features seen on the two ‘green-performance’ eco_cee’d concept cars exhibited earlier this year at the Geneva Show and on the Rio Hybrid in 2007 — while still delivering lively, spirited and entertaining drives.

“The rapid transfer of some green-performance eco_cee’d concept features into production versions of Kia cars, demonstrates Kia’s vision for the way ahead to a greener future,” enthuses Mr Panu Vainamo, General Manager Marketing, Kia Motors Europe. “Our new ‘eco’ features will also confirm Kia’s commitment to creating even more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient production models — without losing sight of customer expectations for cars with a sporty design, fun-to-drive performance and a strong appeal to the young-at-heart.”

2. KIA CEE’D WITH ISG
New ‘Idle Stop & Go’ on sale with Kia cee’d from early 2009

The two first ‘eco-friendly’ technologies to be transferred from concept to reality will be Kia’s new ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system and low-rolling resistance tyres, which make their world premiere at Paris and will be available in Kia cee’d gasoline models from early 2009.

The innovative ISG system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped or rolling forwards at less than 4 kph, with the gearbox in neutral, the clutch depressed and the engine at idle speed. In typical city driving conditions, with heavy traffic and constant stop-start motoring, the ISG system dramatically cuts fuel consumption and emissions — by up to 15%.

As part of the ISG system for cee’d, 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 the car’s battery power drops below 75% of maximum, or there is insufficient energy available for the next start-up, the system will abort its Stop & Go programme.

While the car is stationary, if the clutch pedal is depressed, the engine is instantly re-started — automatically. There is no delay in setting off as the engine re-starting process is accomplished in the time it takes to select first gear.

The new ISG-equipped Kia cee’d cars will also benefit from a new-generation, lighter five-speed manual gearbox and the fitment of low-rolling resistance tyres as standard. During 2009, similar ISG technology will also be made available for the 1.6-litre diesel Kia cee’d and ISG will appear on other models in years to come.

3. KIA SOUL HYBRID
Open-roof concept car shows Hybrid power for Kia Soul

The latest model in Kia’s expanding eco-friendly line-up is the Kia Soul Hybrid, also making its world premiere at Paris — complete with a panoramic powered folding fabric roof.

The Soul Hybrid now features Kia’s Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine, mated to a 15kW (20 ps), 105 Nm AC synchronised electric motor and Kia’s own CVT (continuously variable transmission).

The high-torque permanent magnet electric motor is mounted between the flywheel and the compact CVT gearbox and ‘assists’ the gasoline engine during starting, accelerating and hill-climbing. The Idle Stop & Go is linked to both the gasoline engine and the electric motor. This motor generates its maximum torque (105 Nm) almost constantly from just 1500 rpm to 6300 rpm. During steady cruising the electric motor switches off, while during deceleration it employs ‘regenerative braking’ to store energy and re-charge its Li-Poly 180 volt, 5.3 Ah power pack, which is located in the trunk floor.

For its Paris Show debut, the Soul Hybrid will feature a transparent acrylic bonnet and floor — so the new hybrid powertrain and battery pack can be viewed — and a modern reworking of the traditional folding canvas roof. The 1765 x 980 mm panoramic roof will give show visitors an uncluttered view of the new car’s interior and will be one of many options available to order when the regular Kia Soul model goes on sale in Europe.

The Soul Hybrid is the third Kia to employ a CVT transmission. This type of automatic gearbox seamlessly shifts between an infinite range of gear ratios and allows the engine and powertrain to operate at optimal efficiency at all times.

Kia estimates that with a combined (gasoline engine + electric motor) maximum power and torque of 140 ps and 227 Nm respectively, the Soul Hybrid will accelerate briskly from 0-to-100 kph in 12.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 157 kph. The prototype achieves a fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 km and a CO2 figure of 117 g/km. Compared to the standard 1.6-litre gasoline Soul, CO2 emissions are reduced by 26.4%.

4. KIA CEE’D HYBRID
Prototype fleet of Kia cee’d Hybrids to begin testing

In parallel with its on-going domestic Korean and USA FCEV vehicle testing programmes, Kia Motors is producing a fleet of nine prototype Kia cee’d Hybrid cars especially for testing and evaluation in Europe.

The Kia cee’d Hybrid has been created by Kia R&D to take part in ‘real-world’ test activities. Like the Soul Hybrid, the cee’d uses an upgraded powertrain developed from the earlier Rio Hybrid. The cee’d Hybrid now features Kia’s Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine, mated to a 15kW (20 ps), 105 Nm AC synchronised electric motor, Kia’s own CVT (continuously variable transmission) and Kia’s new ISG (Idle Stop&Go) system.

The high-torque electric motor generates its maximum torque (105 Nm) from just 1500 rpm and the Li-Poly 180 volt, 5.3 Ah power pack is located at the side of the trunk. The computer-controlled ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system also allows fuel-saving stop/start motoring.

Kia calculates that the cee’d Hybrid accelerates from 0-to-100 kph in 11.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 185 kph. The prototype achieves fuel consumption of 4.81 litres per 100 km and a CO2 figure of 114 g/km. Compared to the standard 1.6-litre gasoline cee’d, CO2 emissions are reduced by 25.0%.

5. KIA SPORTAGE FCEV
Kia brings fuel cell vehicle to Europe

As part of Kia Motors Corporation’s continuing fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) programme, the Kia Sportage FCEV is undergoing constant testing and evolution. Now, Kia has transported this hard working prototype to Europe and it makes its European premiere at Paris.

Intensive research has resulted in numerous technical innovations, including a higher output 100kW fuel cell and a new lithium ion polymer 152 volt battery pack, which give the Sportage FCEV higher performance, a greatly extended driving range and a cold weather start-up capability to operate in sub-zero temperatures.

The Sportage FCEV´s power stack is located in the normal engine bay of the vehicle and boasts 100kW (136 ps) with a top speed of 155 kph — compared to 80kW with a top speed of 150 kph for the first generation vehicle. With a 152-litre hydrogen storage tank located low, ahead of the rear wheels, the latest Kia research vehicle has a range of 300 kilometres.

“Entering this new phase of our programme is really exciting,” commented Dr Hyun-Soon Lee, President of Research & Development for the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group. “Now we will be able to build fuel cell electric vehicles in higher volumes for fleet testing and the latest Sportage FCEV drives us closer to the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles.”

“Migrating our fuel cell technologies into a smaller, more compact vehicle presented many design challenges and I am confident that our engineers have met them all. With the latest Sportage FCEV, Kia takes a big step towards our goal of developing a commercially viable zero-emissions vehicle based on fuel cell technology by 2010,” concluded Dr Lee.

Throughout the development of the diesel and gasoline-powered Kia Sportage compact SUV, the fuel cell model has been created in a parallel engineering program. Demonstrating its ability to conduct simultaneous engineering of both gasoline/diesel production models and fuel cell research vehicles, Kia will be able to significantly improve the efficiency and quality control of future fuel cell vehicle manufacturing processes.

The Sportage FCEV is equipped with hydrogen-powered fuel cells and a next generation E-drive train, electric motor and control unit developed in-house by KMC. Thanks to the use of lightweight aluminium bodyshell components, instead of the conventional Sportage’s all-steel construction, the Sportage FCEV has a power-to-weight ratio that is similar to the production model SUV, despite its inherently heavier powertrain. The FCEV also retains the roomy cabin, low noise levels and overall driving refinement of its gasoline/diesel-powered siblings.

6. ECO-TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE LEADS THE WAY
Diverse programmes tackle climate-change challenge

Significant processes and components for each Kia’s ‘Green Zone’ vehicles at Paris were created at the Hyundai-Kia Eco-Technology Research Institute — a unique establishment dedicated to spearheading the development of cleaner, greener future transportation.

The institute is just one of five Kia R&D Centres around the world, which have a combined total staff of more than 10,000 and annual operating budgets of approximately 3.0 billion Euros — between 5-to-6% of annual revenues.

The Eco-Technology Research Institute’s 7.5-acre facility at Yongin in Korea is itself the embodiment of environmental awareness, with double-skinned walls to create a greenhouse effect in winter and natural ventilation in summer, plus a geo-thermal heat exchange system and an overall design which allows maximum use of natural light.

Inside, it is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as a 700-bar hydrogen filling station, fuel-cell durability test stations, hot/cold test chambers, emissions reduction laboratories and a robotic car dismantling and recycling plant.

The Eco-Technology Research Institute, together with the Namyang R&D facility, was responsible for the creation of the ‘second generation’ Sportage Fuel-Cell vehicle (first shown at the 2004 Paris Show) and for overseeing the operation of the FCEV test fleet of vehicles in Korea and the USA. For the latest version of the Sportage FCEV, Kia’s researchers developed a new-style fuel cell that operates efficiently in freezing conditions, down to -20C.

While hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles offer realistic paths to eco-friendly future transport for some segments of the car market, the whole issue of climate-change is being addressed by Kia across a broad spread of diverse programmes aimed at protecting the environment and conserving non-renewable resources.

Kia staff at both Yongin and Namyang in Korea are the driving force behind R&D which is investigating low emission vehicles, lightweight vehicles and both materials-saving and energy-saving vehicles and component production processes.

Elements of the low-emissions technology programme include ultra-high heat resistant catalysts, dual-pipe exhaust systems to maximise low-temperature catalyst activity at engine start-up, an air-purifying radiator which removes o-zone from the air and a range of diesel exhaust filtering systems. By 2010, Kia aims to have a diesel catalyst system that will absorb 90% of NOx emissions.

Kia’s lightweight vehicle programme is studying the broad use of substitute materials — replacing regular steel with high-strength steel, aluminium or magnesium — and the simplification of design so that future cars will have fewer and less complex components. Highly recyclable, aluminium has great appeal and Kia has developed a new welding process which provides 150% of the conventional steel spot-welding strength.

Although aluminium, magnesium and plastics will all have a role to play in future vehicles, for some time to come high-volume cars will rely on steel for their chassis structure. High-strength steel is at least 25% stronger than regular steel and also gives a 10% weight saving. Since 2006, every Kia car has incorporated some high-strength steel and Kia intends to raise that content to more than 70% of chassis parts by 2010.

World’s largest Hybrid testing programme

In 2007, the European premiere of the Kia Rio hybrid at the Geneva Show celebrated the announcement that Kia Motors, together with Hyundai, were to supply the Korean Ministry of the Environment with an additional 3,390 hybrid vehicles over the next two years, as part of the country’s on-going programme of ‘real-world’ testing to develop hybrid vehicles for the future.

The expansion of this hybrid test fleet by a massive 435% (from 780 cars) makes the Korean operation one of the world’s largest future-technology test programmes and it is just one of several Kia research and development undertakings aimed at creating eco-friendly cars for volume production in the next decade.