
Kia Motors is serving us a full course meal. Aside from the facelifted Kia Sportage, the Korean brand will also be launching its very first 48V mild-hybrid diesel engine system on the said model in the second half of 2018. Kia claims that the new EcoDynamics+ mild-hybrid powertrain can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 4%.
So, how does it work? The mild-hybrid system comes with a compact 0.46 kWh 48-volt lithium ion battery and a Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator (MHSG), which allows the combustion engine to rest longer. This technology can be switched to ‘motor’ or ‘generator’ modes electronically. It’s connected with a belt to the engine’s crankshaft to produce up to 10kW of electric assistance in ‘motor’ mode, reducing engine load and emissions.
When you activate the ‘generator’ mode, the system collects the kinetic energy from the vehicle during the in-gear deceleration and braking to recharge the batteries. It also features a stop-start function that automatically turns off engine while the vehicle decelerates and starts it again when the driver floored the accelerator pedal.
With the adoption of the MHSG, conventional starter motor can be downsized and used for cold starts at low temperatures. The 48V battery will be located beneath the floor, minimizing the impact on vehicle practicality. It also comes with a converter that enables the new battery to connect to the vehicle’s onboard power supply.
The EcoDynamics+ mild-hybrid engine is compatible with both manual and automatic transmission, and could be adapted for front-, rear-, and all-wheel drivetrain layouts, as well as gasoline engines.
Next year, the Korean brand will also fit the EcoDynamics+ mild-hybrid engine in the new third-generation Ceed. Aside from that, Kia is planning to launch a new fuel-cell electric vehicle by 2020, as well as five new hybrids, five plug-in hybrids, and five battery-electric vehicles by 2025.
All of these are part of Kia’s global efforts to improve whole-fleet fuel efficiency. The Korean marque promised to give more detailed plans for this new mild-hybrid technology in the coming months.
Latest News
-
Toyota Philippines to launch a new mobile app for customers / News
The mobile app aims to make car usage easier for Toyota vehicle owners
-
Toyota RAV4 is Japan’s Car of The Year for 2019 - 2020 / News
Japan’s Car of the Year goes back to a Japanese vehicle, taking the accolade out of the Volvo XC60’s hands.
-
Ford takes P380k off Explorer 3.5L Sport’s SRP with 12.12 promo / News
More reasons to buy a Ford Explorer.
Popular Articles
-
Cheapest cars under P700,000 in the Philippines
Nico Ylanan · Nov 06, 2018
-
Editor Speaks: Best automatic cars in the Philippines
Nico Ylanan · Nov 12, 2018
-
How does park assist work?
Nico Ylanan · Nov 21, 2018
-
Most fuel efficient SUVs in the Philippines
Nov 26, 2018
-
2018 Toyota Rush stirs bold-looking MPV segment in PH
Jacob Oliva · May 04, 2018
-
Family cars in the Philippines with the biggest trunks
Nov 14, 2018
-
Head to Head: Toyota Fortuner Vs. Nissan Terra
Nico Ylanan · Jun 01, 2018
-
4 mistakes people do before buying their first car
Jacob Oliva · Nov 26, 2016
-
2019 Suzuki Jimny is H2 and G-Class in one tiny body
Dan Pabustan · Jun 18, 2018
-
Can the 2018 Mitsubishi Xpander really replace the Adventure AUV?
Jacob Oliva · Mar 02, 2018