Kia will launch hybrid cars in the UK within the next three years as part of its plans to drive down its CO2 output.
The Korean firm has just launched its first hybrid, a Forte, in its native market. The Forte shares a platform with the Kia Cee’d and it is likely the first hybrid Kia seen in Europe will be based on the Cee’d.
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A Kia source told Autocar: “We have shown pictures previously of a hybrid Cee’d in development so there is no real reason to go anywhere else in the range.”
The Kia hybrid system would fit in any car in its range with a 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel engine, which at present is the Cee’d, Pro Cee’d, Cee’d SW and Soul. The source said it would be unlikely to feature in the Soul, although it would in theory be possible.
“We have the system now and how we utilise it is still undecided,” said the source. “We are still making decisions.”
An all new Kia Rio is set to arrive in the next 16 to 18 months and this could also feature Kia’s new hybrid technology, should its packaging allow it.
Eventually, Kia would like the technology to feature in all its 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel models in Europe.
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