Kia to Offer Mild-Hybrid Diesel Package

Kia Motors Corp. will introduce a diesel-electric mild-hybrid system in the 2019 Sportage crossover/SUV later this year.

Dubbed EcoDynamics+, the mild-hybrid technology features a 48-volt 0.46-kWh lithium-ion battery and an integrated starter-generator that is connected by a belt to the diesel engine’s crankshaft. Kia says the system can provide 10 kW of electric assist to help reduce engine load and emissions.

As a generator, the arrangement enables regenerative braking to partially recharge the battery. In motor mode, the battery is discharged under acceleration to provide additional torque to the engine under hard acceleration or to reduce engine load during light acceleration.

In addition to start-stop capability when a vehicle is stopped, the engine also turns off during deceleration and braking. It restarts as soon as the soon driver steps on the accelerator pedal.

The mild-hybrid system is paired with Kia’s selective catalytic reduction control technology. This can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4% on the new worldwide harmonized light vehicles test procedure and by as much as 7% on the new European driving cycle, according to the carmaker.

Kia says the mild hybrid system can be used in front- or rear-wheel-drive configurations with either a manual or automatic transmission. Following the Sportage, the company will gradually expand the system to other vehicles, starting with the Cee’d compact hatchback in 2019.