Kia unveiled its striking Ray concept car at the Chicago Motor Show.
Based on the Cerato small car platform, the sharp-looking Ray is a four-seat compact sedan with plug-in hybrid technology and a combined electric-petrol range of 1,200 kilometers.
The Ray makes extensive use of light-weight and recycled materials with solar cells in its glass roof panel that power the air-conditioning and extra lighting.
Design work for the Ray was done at Kia’s American design center in Irvine, California – the same studios responsible for the handily styled Kia Cerato, Cerato Koup, Soul and Sorento SUV.
Among the innovations to assist aerodynamics (and hence reduce fuel consumption) are headlights which slide back when the petrol engine is being used to provide air intakes.
Even the entertainment system – a GreenEdge model from Infinity Audio – is a light-weight design which uses 50 per cent less power than conventional systems.
And the flooring is made from wool – a renewable source of material.
Under the bonnet is Kia’s 1.4-litre direct injection petrol engine and a 78kW electric motor. Drive is to the front wheels via a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
