The all-new Kia Stonic will get moderate hybrid tech in 2019, assisting drive down CO2 emissions as well as improve performance for the compact crossover. Bosses are assessing the feasibility of an EV version, too.
Initially, the Stonic will introduce with two petrol engines as well as one diesel unit. The hybrid tech will likely be added to one of the petrol motors to assist lower emissions as well as improve performance. It will work in a similar fashion to Suzuki’s SHVS system, storing surplus energy to power things like the air-con as well as radio in stop-start traffic. Acceleration as well as throttle action must see a boost, too.
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Speaking at the introduce of the new SUV in Berlin, Kia Europe’s vice president for advertising Arthur Martins told automobile Express: “We are checking out moderate hybrid for the Stonic.”
While the Kia Stonic won’t be used as a full hybrid or plug-in for the time being, an all-electric version is in the pipeline. in spite of bosses previously rejecting speculation, a Kia spokesperson has verified the brand is checking out the tech – insisting a full EV is “doable” on the Stonic’s platform, which it shares with the Rio supermini.
Rather than establishing bespoke EVs, Kia will electrify its existing product range. No time frame was provided for the all-electric Kia Stonic, however with the spirit EV already on sale as well as a Niro EV due in 2018, the variety isn’t in requirement of instant bolstering. However, with Kia’s notoriously short product cycles, it’s likely we’d see an electrified version of the Stonic before the end of the decade.
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