Low-CO2 Kias on the way

2011 Kia Picanto

The 2004 Picanto put Kia on the small car map for practicality and value, but the new version due next year will also be competitive with its newest rivals for fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

The all-petrol line-up will include a 1.0-litre petrol engine with CO2 emissions from 95g/km, while for the first time the Picanto will also be available as a three-door model as well as a five-door.

Kia Rio

Perhaps has the lowest profile of any model in the current Kia range, but the new version due in 2011 should stand out with some highly competitive figures.

Benefiting from a new range of downsized engines, the Rio will come with 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol options as well as 1.1-litre and 1.4-litre diesels.

CO2 emissions for the 1.1-litre diesel using Kia’s ISG stop-start technology are predicted to be about 85g/km – lower than any diesel car currently on sale.

Kia Ceed

Establishing Kia as a credible player in the fleet market, the next move for the Ceed will focus on cutting back CO2 emissions further.

With Ecodynamics versions already producing CO2 at 110g/km, Kia is aiming to duck the 100g/km barrier which will become increasingly important for company car drivers in the UK with BIK tax brackets starting at that level in 2012. The next step for the Ceed will be a
94g/km diesel version.

Kia Sportage Hybrid

Kia showed a concept mild-hybrid Sportage at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, although production of the car has not been confirmed.

If it were to go ahead it would follow already impressive 1.7-litre diesel versions of the Sportage, which with front-wheel drive have CO2 emissions of 135g/km.

Kia suggests a petrol-electric hybrid version of the Sportage could have CO2 emissions as low as 117g/km.

2011 Kia Optima

A replacement for the Magentis, the Kia Optima carries the brand’s new ‘face’ as seen in the Sportage, and was overseen by Peter Schreyer, who among other things has the original Audi TT on his CV.

Kia’s latest diesel engine technology ensures the Mondeo rival will have CO2 emissions from 113g/km using a 136bhp diesel engine and Kia’s ISG stop-start technology.

Later, a higher-output 160bhp version will become available.

There will also be a more powerful 170bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine from launch and don’t be surprised if Kia shows an estate version at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.