Kia Ceed 1.6 Hybrid (2008) CAR review

Kia has changed almost beyond recognition over the last few years, from a low-cost Korean brand to a maker of well-made European-designed cars that can hold their own with the best of them. Now it’s launching a full-scale attack on the advanced environmental technologies too, with plans to launch a hybrid first in the Korean market and later in Europe. Based on the Ceed five-door, it’s a mild hybrid, which means the electric motor can boost power but doesn’t deliver enough grunt to drive the car on its own.

What’s under the bonnet of this Kia Ceed Hybrid?

A 1.6-litre petrol engine combined with a 15kW (20bhp) integrated electric motor mounted inline on the engine’s crankshaft. The 180-volt electric motor is only used to boost power and provide regenerative braking when the car is slowing down. The prototype we drove still retains a conventional starter motor and alternator although the plan is to do away with those by the time the hybrid reaches production.

The power unit drives through a CVT transmission designed in-house and the whole lot is mounted transversely under the bonnet just like a conventional engine. Power is supplied from a 180-volt, 5.3Ah lithium-ion battery back, although the ancillaries work on 12-volts as usual.

Are the controls any different?

Only the instruments give away the fact that you’re driving a hybrid. A pair of LED gauges tell you what’s going on with the hybrid drive system, so as you accelerate a crescent of red lights registers battery drain and as you lift off, it swings anti-clockwise around the clock face registering the regenerative braking in green. There’s also an animated graphic showing the energy flow between the engine, motor, battery and wheels.

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