It has been several months since we got to tell you about a new hybrid SUV, and even though this one is currently just a concept vehicle, it is still exciting news. If you’ve been following some of the buzz (no pun intended) at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, you know that this year it is all about electric vehicles. In fact, over three dozen plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles are on display at this year’s show.
Making its debut in Germany this week is the Kia Sorento Diesel-Hybrid crossover, a concept vehicle that will join other green cars from Kia (Cee’d & Forte LPI) under Kia’s new EcoDynamics badge. There isn’t a lot of news about this concept SUV yet, but we were able to dig up is that the Sorento Hybrid is powered by a 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine alongside a 30 KW electric motor.
The experimental hybrid Sorento’s shape has been redesigned to maximize aerodynamics. The suspension sits about 10″ lower with airflow smoothing underside construction. Kia also reduced the overall drag with more narrow tires and some high-tech wheel rims. Even the front grill can apparently open and close as needed to maximize cooling efficiency and improve air flow. According to initial reports, CO2 emissions are reduced by more than 30% compared to the new, non-hybrid 2010 Sorento.
As mentioned earlier, this diesel electric hybrid sport utility is just one of several test vehicles that Kia will be driving all over Europe in the coming months. Whether it makes the jump to showrooms is anyone’s guess, and it may be several years before we know. If it does we will then be watching to see if the green Sorento will be available in the United States. Obviously at this stage of the game we have no data regarding price or gas mileage, but as more news comes available we will add to this post.
2011 Kia Sorento official website
