Eco-Friendly Kia cee’d Range
October 22, 2007 by George Skentzos
Kia have announced they will add eco-friendly models of their cee’d range to their European line-up.
Based on the economically powerful eco_cee’d concept car which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, this new range will achieve better fuel consumption, with fewer emissions, while still delivering a lively, spirited driving experience.
At the heart of this ecomonical offering from Kia is a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine, which boats several small but significant modifications and equipment additions to the standard vehicle.
As a result, fuel consumption in the already efficient diesel has reduced by 17 percent to just 3.9 litres/100km, with CO2 emissions down to 104 g/km representing an 8.4 percent decrease.
However the engine forms only a part of the fuel-efficient enhancements. Firstly, the drag coefficient has been cut to Cd 0.29 which is a significant 11 percent improvement.
This followed extensive wind tunnel testing which involved lowering the suspension, fixing under-floor coverings to the front, middle and rear of the vehicle, adopting wheel arch linings with ’spoiler’ lips to smooth airflow around the wheels, and added a low-drag front grille to improve air flow over the vehicle.
Finally, ultra-low rolling resistance Michelin tyres were mounted on special 17-inch alloy wheels that generate minimum disturbance to the airflow along the sides of the car.
To maximise the value of the changes to the drivetrain and aerodynamics, the new eco_cee’d model will be fitted with Kia’s new Idle Stop&Go (ISG) system which features regenerative braking, which automatically recharges the battery during deceleration, and switches the engine off when the car is stopped and the engine is at idle.
In order to maintain lower revs, the eco_cee’d models will feature a new six-speed manual gearbox instead of the five-speed used on standard cars.
Higher ratios in fourth, fifth and sixth gears will improve fuel consumption at motorway speeds. First, second and third gears retain the standard ratios to ensure that the dynamic performance of the standard car accelerating from standstill is carried over.
Furthermore, the gearbox will feature a ‘Shift Indicator’ in the cluster which will instruct the driver when to change into what gear for optimum efficiency.
The all new eco_cee’d range will be available in all three standard body styles – five-door, three-door and wagon – and will retain all standard factory options such as electronic power steering and ABS.
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Impressive work from Kia.
Looks like KIA have a giant killer on their hands. ISG, a 6 speed box, regenerative braking, and extensive wind tunnel testing, in what looks to be a great looking car. This sounds more European, than Korean. If this is priced competetively, it should sell. Well done Kia.
Just notice that Cd is lower than the Aston Martin DB9’s, pretty good Kia :)
When I first saw the photo. I thought I was looking at a Toyota Corolla or a Yarris.
Underestimate these Hyundai/Kia guys at your peril. Even their showroom-available diesel engines are smoother, punchier and just as economical as those from previously world-leading Peugeot, and from all accounts the Cee’d/i30 product at least matches the Europeans in chassis refinement. And they don’t look half bad either, not to mention promising very un-European levels of reliability.
Quote= ” Just notice that Cd is lower than the Aston Martin DB9’s, pretty good Kia ” I cant believe you put those two cars in the same sentence….?
Looks good. Sounds like a nice package. Maybe Subaru should hire the Kia designers to fix the Impreza…
280zx, I did. Your point?
Nothing to fix on the Impreza. Good work by Kia though.
anti smap word………….BMWM3 I think theres something in that for all of us………
Loving the Impreza……….Kia is looking good too!
hyundai i30 is already in aust, when is kia coming in with the ceed? not sure whether to plonk down the cash on a civic just yet.
Did the rounds of car yards today, looking for car for daughter.
Jumped into the Lancer ES, damn nice, full house of safety for 20,990 plus 800 for curtains. Maybe a bit big for her, but the ESP, traction control, etc, etc plus 2 litre versus the 1.4 to 1.8 brigade makes it a must look.
On to look at the Swift, damn nice Japanese build. Smaller and a bit cheaper, but much poorer value when compared to the Lancer. ABS and Curtains the only safety, drums at rear.
Then jumped into the cooking Getz and I30 at the same dealer. The Getz was crap, smelled bad, looked chap, no safety options except extra for ABS. The I30 looked ordinary in the flesh, very nice interior, dearer than the Lancer, can’t match the Lancer features.
Then went into the Kia Rio, I like the external styling very much, but the interior was again crap, marginally better than the Getz. The 1.4 is cheap but not cheerful, try pricing the 1.6 with ABS and the price reaches and exceeds the Swift, and it’s still crap.
Then looked at the Barina, only through the window was enough to classify it as the same crap as Getz and Rio, the Viva in the same boat.
Had to jump into a Golf to regain faith, but WAY more expensive than the Lancer, and to cap off he afternoon jumped into a Touareg, generating a determination to work another year and get one :)
So, Sexythang, I humbly suggest you go ahead and get the Honda, for the Kia will look great on the outside but will still smell like all the korean crap inside – cheap and nasty.
Today’s outing confirmed to me that the Japanese and Germans are not under any threat from the Koreans at this stage, even though they are getting better with the I30 seeming good.
I didn’t drive any of them, but to me shopping for a car is a bit like shopping for clothes – if you don’t like the style of the garment, it doesn’t matter if it fits perfectly – you still won’t like wearing it.
Cheers
yea. got the civic. doesnt handle as well as mazda 3 or the ford focus brigade but it feels a class above….looks a class above and good fuel economy for the power and size and is different from other cars. Golf was only worth getting in GTI mode but thats effectively double the price.
lancer is good but its still a lancer and will be bought in greater numbers.
end of the day, its the missus’s car so she chose the honda. which is what i would have choose…except that its pretty close to my favourite Accord euro price. btw, the civic felt like a 35k aud car. rather than a 25k
i problably wont get the hyundai or kia anyway. but its good they can pioneer the euro design/build with fuel economy in mind on cheap bread abd butter cars. so this will make others set a better standard than them.
Reckless1….did u buy your daughter the Touareg? hehe
Haha, she wishes !!
I might let her ride in it when I get one :)
Looks like the new corrola from the front……sorta!
the only question i have is how much will it cost?