The Korean manufacturer is embarking on the hybrid race by taking an as yet unexplored path: the B segment, that of the compacts. The Kia Rio Hybrid will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show which opens its doors on March 8, before being tested on a large scale.
Until now reserved for large and medium sedans, hybrid technology is coming to city dwellers thanks to the Kia Rio. It is an urban sedan, equipped with a 1,4 l 90 hp petrol engine coupled to a 12 kW electric motor. It succeeds the Accent Hybrid, another small hybrid project presented in 2005 by Hyundai - Kia's sister company. A project whose marketing was initially planned for 2006 before being postponed to 2009. More cautious, Kia does not advance today a marketing date or price for the Rio, but the announcement of a project consisting in testing 4000 cars on Korean roads suggests that Kia is this time ready for production.
Until then, the cost of this hybrid technology had prevented manufacturers from offering it on small city cars. A paradoxical situation since it is in the city that the hybrid is most effective. But if Hyundai and Kia have really found a solution to this cost problem, rapid marketing would undoubtedly bring a big blow. In the immediate future, the little Rio could well be invited to the Geneva forefront alongside the hybrid concepts of Toota and Honda.
http://www.cnetfrance.fr/news/automobil ... ybride.htm
ps: it almost looks like a Clio right?
