Kia Forte LPI Hybrid Finally Makes it to Europe

With the Forte LPI Hybrid already on sale to the Korean public, Kia is finally bringing hybrid power to Europe for testing. Kia displayed their very first hybrid model at the recent Motor Show in Frankfurt and their plan now is to bring a fleet of approximately 36 Kia LPI Hybrids to Europe in 2010 for some ‘real world research’.

Things are looking promising for Kia with the face-lifted Cee’d  and Sorrento SUV models, which include strong engines and an improvement in quality, but it doesn’t hide the fact that Kia are way behind in offering hybrid-powered vehicles globally.

It is not certain why Kia have delayed their hybrid introduction or how much research still needs to be done with the $6 billion they plan to spend this year, but with Kia LPI Hybrids already on sale in Korea, they have been expected on the European market for some time. By way of comparison, , Toyota first launched their Prius in 1997 with Hybrid Synergy Drive and has now sold more than a million of them, and they are now introducing hybrid power into their mainstream models. Saying that, Kia are showing some innovation and will provide the world’s first hybrid vehicle to use the highly advanced lithium polymer (Li-poly) battery which is light and has high output.

Kia’s new sub-brand, ‘EcoDynamics’ will lead the catch-up with future hybrid, electric and low CO2 emitting vehicles and this was premiered at the Motor Show, where they also displayed their European designed and built Venga.