Kia Unveils Hybrid Car at Geneva Auto Show

Following the debate on stricter emission standards set by the European Union, car makers went into the 77th Geneva International Auto Show with green cars aplenty. Different car makers from different parts of the world showcased their contributions to the global effort of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Aside from Toyota which is already known for their hybrid vehicles, other car makers are joining the long line of car makers offering hybrid cars to the motoring public. One of these car manufacturers is the Korean contingent - Kia.

The Korean brand unveiled their Kia Rio Hybrid for the first time on European soil. The introduction of the Rio Hybrid to the European automotive scene is a celebration since Kia was commissioned to provide hybrid vehicles to the Korean Ministry of the Environment. Together with Hyundai, 3,390 units of hybrid cars will be delivered to the ministry for real world testing. The appearance of the Rio hybrid is also a show of force for the Korean brand. Although hybrid cars are not as famous in Europe as they are in the United States, Kia hopes to increase the popularity of hybrid vehicles in the European auto market.

The Kia Rio features a 1.4-liter 90ps gasoline engine coupled to a 12 kW, 95 Nm AC synchronized electric motor. The motor gives the engine an added boost during selected driving operations. The motor is located between the flywheel and the gearbox. It kicks into gear when the car is starting, accelerating or climbing. The battery pack of the hybrid car is continually recharged during braking. The car features a regenerative braking system which means that the energy given off during braking is recovered. The operation of the system may not be as simple as the operation of a Honda door handle, but it proves efficient on cutting down the amount of gasoline that needs to be burned to power the car.

Aside from the regenerative braking system and the electric motor, the Kia Rio is also equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In fact, the Rio hybrid is the first ever Kia vehicle to be equipped with this technology. The components used in the Rio hybrid are also designed to reduce the load on the engine and electric motor by using lightweight materials. By reducing the weight of the car, Kia engineers gave the Rio a respectable acceleration. Thanks to the high torque produced by the electric motor, the Rio can go to a hundred kilometers per hour from a standstill in just 12.2 seconds. The hybrid car can attain speeds of up to 180 kilometer per hour. The most awesome thing about the Kia Rio hybrid is that it can travel a hundred kilometers on just 5.29 liters of gasoline, in other words, or units, the Rio has a gas mileage rating of 53.4 miles per gallon.