New Kia Forte LPI Hybrid set for Seoul Debut - Korean Sales Start in August
Cars

New Kia Forte LPI Hybrid set for Seoul Debut - Korean Sales Start in August


In addition to announcing the introduction of its new environmental brand 'Eco Dynamics', Kia revealed today its first-ever production hybrid model, the Forte LPI Hybrid that will make its world debut at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show that opens on April 2. Scheduled to go on sale in Korea this August, the hybrid version of the new Forte sedan can run on both Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)– a popular fuel in Korea - and electricity. It employs a hybrid system which supports the internal combustion engine during motor starts and acceleration.

The Forte LPI Hybrid is equipped with a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder Gamma LPI HEV engine producing an output of 114-horsepower and a maximum torque figure of 15.1 kg/m. The Korean automaker claims that when combined to a CVT transmission, the Forte LPI Hybrid has a fuel efficiency of 17.2km per litre of LPG. To better understand what this means, when converted to a standard petrol engine that figure would be 21.5km/liter that translates to 50.6mpg US, 60.7mpg UK or 4.7lt /100 km.

The Forte LPI hybrid is said to be the first car in the world to use lithium polymer batteries. Compared to nickel-metal-hydride (Ni-MH) batteries used by most automakers, this type of batteries provide more power in a lighter and compact package thus enhancing fuel performance and freeing up more space.

Aside from Forte LPI Hybrid, Kia announced that it also plans to introduce a mid-sized, full hybrid vehicle in 2011 followed up with early commercialization of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2012.

As for the Korean firm's new green-label, the "Eco Dynamics" moniker will be used on cars with new, environmentally-friendly technologies such as hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars.





- Sema: Kia Tunes Into Green With Forte Hybrid Concept
We've already told you about the other Kia show cars at SEMA -namely, the Koup Type R, Soul specials and Sportages, but the South Korean firm also brought to Las Vegas a concept version of its Forte Hybrid. According to Kia's own words, the SEMA...

- Hyundai Begins Receiving Orders For Its First-ever Hybrid Model
Hyundai has officially started accepting orders in South Korea for its first-ever hybrid model, the Elantra LPI HEV, ahead of the car's market launch on July 8. Billed as the world's first hybrid electric vehicle to be powered by a Liquefied Petroleum...

- Ny Show Preview: Gmc Yukon Denali Hybrid With 21mpg
GM is adding yet another 'politically correct' full-size SUV with a hybrid powertrain to its model portfolio. The new 2009 GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid will its world debut at the 2009 New York International Auto Show with sales set to commence in...

- Mazda Begins Commercial Leasing Of Premacy Hydrogen Re Hybrid
As of today, Mazda is the world's first automaker to begin commercial leasing of a hydrogen-hybrid vehicle. The new Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid will be delivered to local government authorities and energy-related companies in Japan during 2009. Based...

- Hyundai Blue-will: Prius-like Plug-in Hybrid Concept To Be Unveiled In Seoul
Korean automaker Hyundai is ramping up its efforts in the hybrid segment with the presentation of an all-new concept car at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show that opens on April 2. The BLUE-WILL is a proposal for a family-sized, dedicated hybrid model in the...



Cars








.