What's the news?
Kia is planning to cut its range-wide CO2 emissions by 25 per cent for 2020 and to that end is planning to massively expand its 'green car' line-up from the current four models to 11. So here are the first vehicles that will take up the ecological mantle: the all-new Niro 'Hybrid Utility Vehicle' (HUV); and two part-electric versions of the Optima, the Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and the Hybrid (HEV).
Exterior
The Niro is Kia's first dedicated eco-car platform and, as a result, its underpinnings have been engineered apart from the rest of the manufacturer's range, as the HUV is designed to take specific 'environmentally-conscious technologies' and low-emissions drivetrains. Kia claims it is a brand new design as well, although it's not a million miles away from the fourth-gen Sportage announced at Frankfurt. So you'll recognise the 'tiger-nose' grille, separated headlight units and short overhangs of this compact crossover. In addition, the Niro's body is made of more than 50 per cent ultra-high strength (UHS) steel, designed to make it lower in weight (good for fuel economy, see?) and at the same time limit noise, vibration and harshness.
Moving to the PHEV and HEV Optima models, they're distinguished by specific design details outside, such as an active grille (which switches from aerodynamically optimised closed mode to open for better engine cooling when required), silver brightwork around the rear bumper, grille surround and wheel arches, and a 'clean, metallic blue' finish. The PHEV additionally gets chrome side sill mouldings and its own wheel designs. Can't spot any of these? Then check out the badging - the HEV will wear 'EcoHybrid' nameplates and the PHEV 'EcoPlugin'.
Interior
No word as yet from Kia about the Niro's interior, so we'll skip straight on to the two Optimas. Kia promises a high-class cabin, improved refinement and more space for occupants in the HEV (as there's an existing Optima Hybrid at the moment), while the PHEV will get its own instrument cluster to display information about the on-board functions and status of the drivetrain. Additionally, it will have a charge indicator on top of the dashboard, so the Optima PHEV owner can see the battery's condition easily from outside the car; useful, for instance, when it's charging outside a home or place of business.
Mechanicals
Back with the Niro, Kia is targeting CO2 emissions of less than 90g/km. It will achieve this by using the 1.6-litre 'Kappa' direct injection petrol engine (GDI) with 105hp and 147Nm, coupled to a 1.56kWh lithium-polymer battery and a 32kW electric motor; Kia doesn't yet quote any combined outputs for the drivetrain. The Niro will have a six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission and after the petrol-electric original, a plug-in hybrid version will be added later in the model's life cycle.
The Optima PHEV teams a 2.0-litre GDI petrol engine (156hp, 189Nm) with a powerful 50kW electric motor to deliver 205hp at 6,000rpm. The lithium-polymer battery pack is rated at 9.8kWh, about six times the energy output of the current Optima Hybrid's. This allows the PHEV to operate in fully electric mode at higher speeds, as well as having a 43km zero-emissions range. A six-speed automatic gearbox houses the electric motor, with a combined economy figure of 118.9mpg (2.4 litres/100km) expected - and you can recharge the PHEV in as little as three hours with the right charging point.
As there's an existing Optima Hybrid, the new one has something to compare to. It's 10 per cent better on fuel than its predecessor and it has a 13 per cent more powerful battery, which also takes up less space in the boot and allows for 60:40 split-folding rear seats. It has the same 156hp 2.0 as the PHEV but here it's fitted with a 38kW electric motor, leading to a slightly lower 195hp maximum output. Unlike the PHEV, it can't go 43km on electric alone.
Anything else?
So, the Niro will be unveiled next year with production due to start in late 2016. The Optima PHEV will go on sale in the second half of 2016, while the HEV will be the first to appear, in the first half of next year.
After these three, Kia goes on the eco-offensive. Seven out of its ten current engine ranges will be replaced by next-generation petrol and diesel units, more efficient transmissions are planned and a five per cent reduction in the average weight of new car bodies is targeted through the use of UHS steel. Not only will the company make these hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, it will be introducing battery-electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell electric (FCEV) motors as well - all part of a $10.2 million (€9.5m) investment in Kia by its parent company, Hyundai Motor Group.