Kia Motors Introduces its Version of LPI Hybrid

15 July 2009

Kia Motors unveiled its first commercialized hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the Forte Liquid Petroleum Injection (LPI) Hybrid in Seoul, Korea. (Earlier post.)

The Forte LPI Hybrid. Click to enlarge.

The new car, as does the Hyundai LPI hybrid, utilizes a 1.6-liter Gamma LPI engine with an independently developed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and hybrid system, comprising an electric motor, inverter, converter and 180V lithium-ion polymer battery.

The hybrid Forte offers fuel economy of 17.8 km/L (5.6 L/100km or 42 mpg US); gasoline-equivalent fuel economy is 22.2 km/l (4.5 L/100km, 51 mpg US) and CO₂ emissions of 99 g/km.

Kia says that although no plans to market this vehicle outside of Korea have been finalized, it is conducting feasibility studies to assess consumer interest and potential demand in markets that possess liquid petroleum refueling infrastructure.