Kia Motors rolls out K5 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

Kia Motors has started selling its K5 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) along with the 2017 K5 lineup, Tuesday, Korea Times reported.

Unveiled during this year’s Busan International Motor Show last month, the K5 PHEV mounts a 9.8-kWh battery with a 50 kW electric motor. Combining those electric components with a 2.0-gasoline direct injection (GDI) combustion engine, the car can produce a maximum of 205 horsepower.

It has a driving range of 44 kilometers with a fully charged battery in the electric mode. When its battery is exhausted, the sedan uses gasoline in the hybrid mode.

“The average daily commute for most workers in the metropolitan area is around 30 to 40 kilometers. The K5 PHEV can cover that in electric mode alone so drivers do not need to buy gas,” said a Kia Motors official.

“Let’s suppose a K5 PHEV driver drives 40 kilometers for work on weekdays and an extra 100 kilometers on the weekend. It would only cost 600,000 won ($500) per year while most other gasoline-run vehicles with an average mileage of 12 kilometers per liter cost 1.8 million won, saving around 1.2 million won every year.”

The PHEV has a range of 16.4 kilometers per liter in hybrid mode so it can travel an estimated 902 kilometers after exhausting its battery, an official added.

The K5 PHEV sedan costs 39.6 million won. Taking account of various tax benefits along with a 5 million won governmental subsidy, however, prospective customers would be able to buy the vehicle at a much lower price. 

In addition, the automaker said it will grant a one million won discount for the first 50 purchases. 

K5 PHEV drivers will enjoy a 50% discount on public parking fees, an 80% discount for subway station parking lots as well as waived fees for using the Namsan tunnels in Seoul.

The car has LED headlamps along with a radiator grille and an eco-PHEV emblem on the front, suggesting luxury but also an environmentally friendly concept.

The car’s driving and battery information is displayed on a 4.3-inch SuperVision Cluster dashboard display as well as an 8-inch UVO navigation panel.