KIA To Follow Toyota's Hybrid Lead

Despite its budget image, Kia fully intends to outdo its rivals in the green stakes by improving the fuel efficiency of its fleet by 20% over the next five years. At the same time, it hopes to see carbon dioxide emissions levels fall from its fleet average of 163g/km to around 140g/km in 2009 and 130g/km by 2012.

Some of its vehicles have already hit the magic 130g/km mark, but larger and more powerful V6 models like the Magentis and Sportage are no where near this level. An engineer admitted to reporters from What Car? that “current technologies cannot help” and the goal will be “a challenging target”.


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EnnNorak - 5/16/2007 2:08:41 PM

+1 Boost

The Koreans have come a long way since "60 Minutes" exposed Hyundai for building cars whose bumpers fell off at the slightest impact. KIA (now owned by Hyundai) has many car and truck models with nice conservative styling. Some Korean vehicles use Japanese-made engines. I would not be above driving a Korean car today and can hardly wait for Hyundai's (or is it KIA's) newest luxury flagship to arrive in North America. It will be the only large RWD sedan with LSD as standard equipment. What's the latest on Toyota's engine sludge problems?

2JZSoarer - 5/17/2007 2:08:48 AM

+2 Boost

I'm a Toyota Tech,and the only vehicles that I have seen with sludge problem are the ones with poor maintenance,of course we all know any vehicle with lack of maintenance will develop sludge or other engine problems!!

S4cabriofoxone - 5/16/2007 10:52:35 PM

-1 Boost

The word "hybrid" is beginning to sound like some form of exotic fungus.

XYZZ - 5/18/2007 6:31:28 AM

+1 Boost

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XYZZ - 5/18/2007 6:43:51 AM

+1 Boost

learn to LIVE WITH, if not LOVE, exotic fungi, S4.

hybrids are the irresitable tsunami wave of the FUTURE. with an inexorably expanding base TODAY.

next generation Prius slated to get 113 mpg (Imp.) no diesel will even come CLOSE to that, blue, green, red or purple tech!