Like all manufacturers, Kia has to meet stricter emissions targets in Europe, and to do so it will electrify some of its models and launch some EVs.
The current Sportage and next generation Cee’d are two models that will arrive with a 48V mild-hybrid technology, Hyundai’s R&D chief, Woong Chul Yang, told AutoExpress.
“For Europe, there is demand for mild-hybrid 48-volt technology, so we are working on that for the Sportage, and for medium-sized SUVs, and we are working on that for the new Cee’d. This is to meet all those tough CO2 requirements”, Yang said.
The third-generation Kia Cee’d appears to be ready, in South Korea at least, where the car was recently spotted without any camo at all. However, it will make its European premiere at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in March.
Aside from the confirmed mild-hybrid technology in Europe, the 2019 Cee’d will use several three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, most of which (if not all) will be shared with its Hyundai “cousin”, the i30.
Kia will also launch a fully electric variant of the Niro later this year, as previewed by the concept that debuted at CES, while the Stonic sub-compact SUV is also tipped to get an all-electric version as well.
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