Kia Ceed gains mild hybrid power

The South Korean car manufacturer has released some details concerning the new mild-hybrid versions of its Ceed model. The lineup has only contained full-fledged plug-in hybrids until now.

The mild hybrids are all diesel-based, because Kia had to make these engines compliant with the latest environmental standards. The main spec includes a 1.6-liter CRDi turbo diesel mill, a 48-volt starter-generator that assists it during initial acceleration, and a compact battery hidden in the spare wheel slot. The hybrid system helps save fuel in traffic jams by activating when the engine start-stop system is on.

All new versions ship with two transmissions to choose from: pre-selective DCT and “Clutch-By-Wire” manual. The latter is a new design that works in conjunction with a starter-generator and can switch the diesel engine on and off while preserving momentum, thus saving fuel.