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If it passes the test in the US market, it is a candidate for Australia.
Kia this week says its first electric-petrol hybrid, the Optima Ecodynamics model, will be sent into the North American market in the first quarter of next year. Production starts in December, says Kia’s Product manager, M Ji-Hoon Han.
“It will have the 2.4-litre engine but not the GDI engine" he says. “That engine is too heavy - about 30kg too heavy - for the hybrid.’’
However, if the touchdown for Australia is a few years away, Kia may consider using its lightweight 2-litre GDI engine as the petrol powerplant. That engine starts production next year and is earmarked for the Optima. Mr Han says the Optima Ecodynamics has been developed with right-hand drive markets in mind.
Kia Australia spokesman Kevin Hepworth says it could get here as early as 2012. “We would be very, very happy if this car was offered in Australia,’‘ he says. “I suspect it will be 2012 at the earliest.
“Having the new 2-litre GDI engine in the hybrid would make more sense for us. It will be the latest technology and would be something worth waiting for.’’ Kia wouldn’t release any details of the Optima Ecodynamics. t says it will reveal the car early in the new year before its US debut.
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