New Kia Forte LPI Hybrid set for Seoul Debut - Korean Sales Start in August

In addition to announcing the introduction of its new environmental brand 'Eco Dynamics', Kia revealed today its first-ever production hybrid model, the Forte LPI Hybrid that will make its world debut at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show that opens on April 2. Scheduled to go on sale in Korea this August, the hybrid version of the new Forte sedan can run on both Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)– a popular fuel in Korea - and electricity. It employs a hybrid system which supports the internal combustion engine during motor starts and acceleration.

The Forte LPI Hybrid is equipped with a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder Gamma LPI HEV engine producing an output of 114-horsepower and a maximum torque figure of 15.1 kg/m. The Korean automaker claims that when combined to a CVT transmission, the Forte LPI Hybrid has a fuel efficiency of 17.2km per litre of LPG. To better understand what this means, when converted to a standard petrol engine that figure would be 21.5km/liter that translates to 50.6mpg US, 60.7mpg UK or 4.7lt /100 km.

The Forte LPI hybrid is said to be the first car in the world to use lithium polymer batteries. Compared to nickel-metal-hydride (Ni-MH) batteries used by most automakers, this type of batteries provide more power in a lighter and compact package thus enhancing fuel performance and freeing up more space.

Aside from Forte LPI Hybrid, Kia announced that it also plans to introduce a mid-sized, full hybrid vehicle in 2011 followed up with early commercialization of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2012.

As for the Korean firm's new green-label, the "Eco Dynamics" moniker will be used on cars with new, environmentally-friendly technologies such as hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars.