Kia Motors Corp. yesterday unveiled the liquefied petroleum gas-electric hybrid version of the Forte and its eco-friendly sub-brand Eco Dynamics.

Eco Dynamics is a sub-brand that represents ecology and economics and the company`s aim of developing environmentally friendly automotive technologies, the logo for which will be used on hybrid, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles to be launched in the future.

The hybrid Forte is equipped with a 1.6-liter LPG engine and an electric motor to support the internal combustion engine during acceleration and when the vehicle is started.

The vehicle`s maximum power output is 114 brake horsepower and fuel economy comes in at 17.2 kilometers per liter of LPG fuel, which is equivalent to 21.5 kilometers per liter fuel economy in terms of gasoline, the company said.

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In terms of running costs, over the distance of 20,000 kilometers, the fuel costs of an LPI hybrid Forte is 980,000 won ($709) lower than that of the gasoline-powered model.

The LPI hybrid Forte is the world`s first hybrid vehicle to be fitted with a lithium-ion polymer battery, which is lighter and smaller but has higher output than nickel-metal hydride batteries. The company also altered the exterior and interior design of the hybrid Forte to set it apart from the normal version of the vehicle. The company said that it plans to develop a distinct tune that will be played when the hybrid Forte is started to further differentiate the car from conventional vehicles and use the tune in advertising campaigns.

The hybrid Forte will also be shown at the Seoul Motor Show that opens on April 2.

The company also revealed the hydrogen fuel cell version of the sport utility vehicle Mohave for the first time in Korea yesterday. The car is the first to have the fuel cell stack positioned on the floor of the vehicle. The hydrogen-powered Mohave has a driving range of 750 kilometers and can achieve speed of 160 kilometers per hour.

According to the company, the core components used in the vehicle were developed indigenously, allowing the company to reduce materials costs by about 50 percent.

By Choi He-suk



(cheesuk@heraldm.com)