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Kia wants 11 green cars by 2020

Kia will invest $10.2 billion in an effort to become a more environmentally friendly automaker over the next five years, and the recently teased Niro hybrid crossover will be just the tip of the iceberg. The Korean automaker wants to more than double its green car lineup by 2020 to 11 models from the current four with plans for new hybrids, PHEVS, EVs, and even a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. This green rollout will start with an Optima PHEV (the 2014 hybrid variant is shown above) with a lithium-polymer battery and will continue with the Niro CUV. Spy shots also suggest both Hyundai and Kia have other dedicated hybrids under development, and rumors hint at their arrival in showrooms in 2017. "Global market demand is shifting to electric vehicles, with oil prices predicted to rise in future," Ki-Sang Lee, the senior vice president at Kia's Eco Friendly Vehicle R&D Center, said in the investment's announcement. Kia is already familiar with fuel-cell tech thanks to public testing in 2009, but the automaker really wants to push development with a mass-produced model in 2020. The new FCEV would use a 15- percent lighter and five-percent more efficient stack versus current units, and the setup would offer an estimated range of over 497 miles. The company hopes to build 1,000 of these vehicles annually at first. The automaker's green plan will also aim to boost the brand's average fuel economy by 25 percent from 2014 levels. To make that happen, Kia will replace seven of its 10 engine families and will cut the weight of future vehicles by five percent. The next-gen models will use more efficient transmissions too. KIA MAPS OUT FIVE-YEAR AMBITION FOR GREEN CAR LEADERSHIP Green car line-up expected to grow from four to 11 models by 2020 Kia targeting hydrogen fuel cell vehicle production within five years Kia aiming to improve average fuel efficiency by 25% over 2014 levels Roadmap for low emission cars includes clean combustion, hybrid- and pure- electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells 70% of current engine range set to be replaced by more efficient units Kia Motors today announced its mid- to long-term plans for the development of a greatly increased range of environmentally friendly vehicles. The brand's 'green car roadmap' sets out Kia's ambition to become a leader in the low emissions car market by 2020.

Kia previews upcoming Niro hybrid crossover

Kia is gearing up to launch a new hybrid crossover. Called the Niro, it's touted as the first of its kind in South Korea. And here we have our first glimpse of what it will look like. Previewed in this pair of teaser renderings, the Niro will be a dedicated hybrid crossover. The automaker says that the powertrain will be based on a 1.6-liter version of Hyundai's Kappa engine producing 105 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque. That seems a little low to us for an engine that size, considering that the same size engine in the Rio produces 138 hp and 123 lb-ft, but we'll see how the final specs work out. It's slated to be paired to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, an electric motor good for another 47 hp, and a 1.56-kWh battery pack. The hybrid powertrain will be packed into a compact crossover with what looks to be a fairly sleek design. Up front, you'll see the brand's signature tiger-nose grille, angular headlights, sculpted flanks, a relatively high belt line, and an aggressive rear end. Of course, the wheels on the final version won't fill the wheel wells quite as much, and you can expect them to be wearing narrower tires with low rolling resistance, as befits a dedicated hybrid. The Niro name was previously applied to a more rounded crossover concept unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production model with its hybrid powertrain will form part of Hyundai-Kia's endeavor to reduce its average fleet fuel consumption by 25 percent by 2020. It's slated to launch in some markets in the first half of next year. Related Video:

Kia Optima Hybrid and Plug-In detailed ahead of launch

Kia wants to be a leader in the green car world in the next five years, and the global launch of the Optima Plug-in Hybrid (pictured above) is an early step in that $10.2 billion plan. The company also has tech updates ready for the Optima Hybrid. However, both new models essentially copy Hyundai's latest improvements for the Sonata Hybrid and PHEV. According to a UK press release, the Optima PHEV will arrive in some global markets in the second half of 2016 with a 9.8-kWh lithium-polymer battery and a 67-horsepower electric motor – just like the 2016 Sonata PHEV. Kia will also aim for an EV range of 27 miles. There will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 154 horsepower and 140 pound-feet under the hood for a total system output of 202 hp, and power will get to the road through a six-speed automatic. The company will expect its Hyundai sibling's 99 US mpge fuel economy, too. The PHEV will wear a few unique parts like a charging panel at the front of the driver's side, chrome side sills, and different wheels. Updated instruments will provide info about the electric powertrain, and a charge indicator on the dashboard that will let drivers check the status even when outside the sedan. The updates for the Optima Hybrid will also generally follow the electrified Sonata with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, 51-hp electric motor, and total output of 192 hp. It will go on sale in "the majority of Kia's global markets in the first half of 2016," according to the release. However, we don't yet know whether the US will be one of those regions. Autoblog asked Kia Motor America spokesperson James Hope about both of these vehicles, and he told us: "KMA has made no announcement regarding the Optima hybrid. We will have more to share at a later date." HYBRID FUTURE PLANNED FOR NEXT GENERATION KIA OPTIMA New Optima range will include Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models Optima PHEV to combine high-capacity batteries with 2.0-litre GDI engine, offering more electric range than any other PHEV saloon Targeting 10% greater fuel economy for new Optima Hybrid Kia aims to improve average fuel efficiency by 25% over 2014 by 2020 Kia Motors has today revealed details of a range of advanced new powertrains planned for the all-new Optima, as part of the company's ongoing commitment to broaden its global range of low-emission vehicles.