Kia Optima Concept: Mild Hybridizing the Turbo Diesel in Europe

Kia getting serious about efficiency again.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Sept. 29, 2014



The Optima Hybrid Turbo Diesel Mild Hybrid Animation.



Kia will reveal the new Kia Optima mild hybrid concept at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on October 2, the first application and demonstration of a new new mild hybrid powertrain.



The Kia Optima T-Hybrid (turbo hybrid) concept is powered by the existing 1.7L CRDi I4 turbo-diesel mated to a small electric motor and powered by a 48V “lead-carbon” battery. The diesel-electric powertrain concept enables full hybrid operation at low speeds and even when cruising according to the Kia release. “Glide-Mode” pretty please? Deceleration like all hybrids can provide regenerative braking which charges the pack.



Kia Optima Hybrid-T Lead-Carbon Battery



Like the innovative long lasting Li-Po battery in the current Optima Hybrid, Kia moved to a new energy storage solution for the mild hybrid called Lead-carbon. Unlike Li-Ion, they require no active cooling and are easier to recycle at the end of the unit’s lifecycle.



The vehicle features a stop-start system, and a new belt-driven starter generator similar to HSG on the current Hybrid drivetrain allowing low NVH starts. Whereas the Li-Po battery in the current Optima Hybrid reduces trunk capacity by 4.6 cu. ft. to just 10.8 cu. ft., the new battery is much smaller with a lower volume capacity reduction penalty. Actual cargo volume was not provided.



Kia Optima Hybrid-T Drivetrain



The system also allows the installation of an electric supercharger similar to Audi’s efforts for the 1.7L CRDi engine, in addition to the conventional turbocharger, providing improved power and torque at all engine speeds. The electric supercharger in particular helps to boost torque and engine response at low engine speeds.



Kia stated that the Optima T-Hybrid continues to be a development concept with no performance or fuel economy details to provide other than a 15 to 20 percent increase with the new powertrain over the current 134 hp 1.7L.

2015 Kia Optima Hybrid-T Turbo Diesel Mild Hybrid Concept

Kia emphatically stated there are no plans to produce the Kia Optima T-Hybrid yet it remains a consideration for the future lineup. Maybe even here in the U.S.?



Bring it on Kia, bring it on!

Kia Optima Concept: Mild Hybridizing the Turbo Diesel in Europe