As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. Nearly 1.5 million vehicles a year are produced in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries. Today Kia Motors Corporation revealed the first preview rendering of its latest hybrid concept car which called RAY.

This new Hybrid Concept, which is based on the Kia Forte platform, introduces a lower profile of hybrid vehicles concept which is carried out in EcoDynamics philosophy of a curvaceous shape with innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies.

Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid Concept is designed in a lowered mono-volume curvaceous shape for improved aerodynamics, while the use of lightweight and eco-friendly recycled materials is what had made it called EcoDynamics. To support this, the Ray” employs new “cool car” technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials to reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the interior cool while reducing air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions. In addition, The “Ray” interior is also stuffed with eco-friendly recycled materials, which is strengthened by green technology feature of the all-new GreenEdgeTM system by Infinity® Audio.

Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid Concept is powered by an all-aluminum 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 1.4-litre engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is used in combination with a 78kw electric motor. To encourage economical driving, the “Ray” is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift indicator. Moreover, the custom-designed low-rolling resistance tyres with a hexagon pattern in narrow 20-inch (195/50R20) construction also contribute to improve efficiency.

Kia Ray project was undertaken to demonstrate how Kia’s evolving design direction would be applied in the packaging of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

KIA RAY Concept Car was designed at Kia’s American Design Studio, 

As hybrids and electric vehicles become more commonplace, there’s a new focus on fast styling and sporty, and Kia considering for a future plug-in hybrid vehicle for the next generation.

Developed over many years around the Subaru’s core technology of “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)” and “Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine”, into the integration of a luxurious and high-quality cabin atmosphere and an eye-catching sculpted body. The fuel efficient Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept gets the majority of its power from the refined flat four; but the electric motors, making 27 HP up front and 13 HP in the rear, provide an additional boost and make the new Subaru capable of operating round town as a zero emission vehicle.

A lithium-ion battery supplies power to a motor/generator in the front and an additional motor in the rear that can operate by itself during low-speed maneuvers. Both motors can be deployed independently to assist the gas engine and retain Subaru’s trademark all-wheel drive. Under normal driving, the gasoline engine is the primary source of propulsion. It’s equipped with a start/stop function to conserve fuel at idle.

During the Tokyo show, Subaru confirmed its intention to bring a hybrid to market in 2012, although a company rep said that the company wouldn’t be creating a new hybrid-only model—like the Toyota Prius—or a separate hybrid brand. Basically, look for hybrid tech like that shown here to show up in an existing model.

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept also features a unique driver assist system called EyeSight that provides with vehicle to vehicle and road to vehicle communication technology. The program includes a collision prevention support system that uses a unique stereoscopic camera that is capable of recognizing a wide variety of driving obstacles with the goal of improving passenger safety and providing drivers with peace of mind touring.

Subaru’s idea behind this concept was to display a “new proposal for the future of grand touring cars.” We’ve always preferred our GT cars with big power up front driving the rear wheels, so this concept may be a bit of a stretch of the term. That aside, it offers a glimpse of Subaru’s hybrid intentions, and we’re thankful those intentions appear to take into account driving enjoyment, another critical “point of the ideal grand touring car.”

Subaru tells us “the top of the dashboard is movable up and down for an optimal driving environment for the driver according to driving conditions.” In a nutshell, the entire dash moves when the steering column is adjusted. Also, the floor is flat in the rear and the concept’s windshield has a special anti-eyestrain coating. The company says the interior is designed in large part to show how much space can be utilized in a vehicle this size.

The Hybrid Tourer concept’s styling has an overall sleek appearance that reminds us of a stretched Impreza hatch wearing Subaru’s new corporate grille; we’re told the look points the way to a more unified design language for the Subie lineup. The gullwing doors are all the rage on design exercises these days, although we’d prefer they be used sparingly by the companies that actually intend to send them into production.

Designed to compliment the iconic Peugeot Lion, Liviu Tudoran has created a conceptual battery powered vehicle which could in theory reach speeds of up to 160 km/h and have a range of approximately 500km on a single charge. Developed under the theme “Imagine the Peugeot in the Worldwide Megalopolis of Tomorrow,” the conceptual vehicle is entitled Leonin, rather appropriately!

The Leonin, is a futuristic car that came to life in the fifth Peugeot design competition. The Leonin is a hybrid car that gained its name from the behavior of a lion. It comes with a battery below its hood and an electric engine in the back.

It features bright orange trims that make the dark and orange combo look spectacular. The doors open upwards to reveal a comfortable cabin for two. The highlight however is the orange band that goes over the rear wheels.

The body of the car is finished with aluminum composite, hard plastic, carbon fiber and glass, giving a foolproof protection to commuters in case of an accident. Replacing the interior rearview mirror, the hybrid features an LCD screen in the main console to display the video captured by the hi-resolution camera located at the rear of the car. The Leonin would set you back something between €18,000 and €25,000, according to the intensity of technology and equipment used in the car.

RAY KIA Hybrid Concept Car 

 As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. Nearly 1.5 million vehicles a year are produced in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries. Today Kia Motors Corporation revealed the first preview rendering of its latest hybrid concept car which called RAY.

Kia Ray project was undertaken to demonstrate how Kia’s evolving design direction would be applied in the packaging of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

KIA RAY Concept Car was designed at Kia’s American Design Studio,

Not much is known about the concept but this official teaser sketch shows some details, revealing a sporty fastback profile, a panoramic glass sunroof, some very muscular haunches and what appears to be LED detailing on the rear tail-lamp assembly.

 RAY KIA Hybrid Concept Car 

As hybrids and electric vehicles become more commonplace, there’s a new focus on fast styling and sporty, and Kia considering for a future plug-in hybrid vehicle for the next generation.

Unless Kia decides to share some info with us, we’ll have to wait for the 2010 Chicago Auto Show that runs for the public from February 12 to 21 to find out more about the KIA latest concept model.

200 years later since 1810 that Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot turned their father’s cereal mill into a steel foundry and took the Peugeot family into the industrial era, a new chapter in the Peugeot story about to open with a further evolution of the brand; a new styling direction, a new corporate Lion badge and a new signature – Peugeot MOTION & EMOTION.

Through the Peugeot SR1 Concept, the Marque reveals the stylistic design trends for its future models. The concept car embodies the new world of Peugeot, reflected by the new Lion badge which adorns its body.

Dynamic, balanced, sensual, with an exclusive high-tech interior, this “dream car” explores and reinterprets the theme of the “Grand Touring Car”.

The use of HYbrid4 technology allows the Peugeot SR1 to offer an engineering specification in keeping with its styling: 230 kW (313 bhp) with emissions of only 119 g/km of CO2 (0 in electric mode), 4 wheel drive and steering…. for an ideal blend of excitement and efficiency.

Styling that predicts the future, Elegance, purity, dynamism, allure, controlled power… these ideas find their fullest expression with the Peugeot SR1 Concept, the dream car par excellence.

On the SR1, at the front, a 1.6 litre THP petrol engine with a power output of 218 bhp is combined with a rear electric motordeveloping 95 bhp. In electric only mode, the car becomes a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV), with a combined cycle fuel consumption of 57.7 mpg or 119 g/km of CO2.

When the two power trains operate simultaneously, the SR1 develops a potential maximum power output of 313 bhp, while benefiting also from four-wheel drive.

With the use of HYbrid4 technology, which will eventually be available on different models in the Peugeot range, the SR1 concept offers convincing proof that driving enjoyment can be combined with environmental friendliness.

The vehicle’s dynamic efficiency is enhanced by a rigid, lightweight structure comprising of a one-piece body incorporating a tubular chassis onto which are mounted the mechanical components and suspension.

Exploiting the best of existing technology to offer road holding worthy of this exceptional concept, the suspension consists of double wishbones with drop links at the front and the rear. For even greater driving precision, the SR1 innovates also through the adoption of four-wheel steering.  Motorised links on the rear suspension wishbones control the turning angle of the rear wheels as a function of vehicle speed, giving the vehicle superb agility under all circumstances.

There is room in the vehicle for three people as the third rear seat nestles in the middle, behind the two front seats. Entry to this seat is facilitated by the centre console, which can slide forward to improve access.

The interior ambience blends colours and materials, with strong references to “a past motoring era” combined with “the latest advanced technology”. Inside the vehicle, patinated leather and different grained wood are examples of the use of authentic and natural materials, warm, sensual and charged with history, that blend seamlessly with, “high tech” materials such as nickel and satin-finished chrome.

The construction of the fascia panel, optimised to perfection, gives a visual prominence to certain mechanical components such as the steering column and a number of peripheral controls. Similarly, the instrumentation combines analogue and digital read-outs, giving clear emphasis to every item of information conveyed to the driver. This is the case for instantaneous fuel consumption and vehicle range, displayed on two glass crystal gauges directly in front of the driver.

Another technological innovation is the creation of an exclusive wristwatch, designed in partnership with Bell&Ross®. This timepiece, with milled inserts of solid aluminium, slots perfectly into a dedicated housing on the fascia panel.

The Peugeot SR1 concept car will be unveiled to the general public at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, in March.