Kia Ray
The Kia Ray is a city car manufactured by Kia Motors exclusively for the Korean domestic market.
Kia Ray | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
Production | 2011–present |
Assembly | Seosan Plant, Seosan, South Korea (Donghee) |
Body and chassis | |
Class | City car (A) |
Body style | 5-door minivan |
Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
Platform | Hyundai-Kia SA |
Related | Kia Picanto (TA) |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.0 L Kappa II I3 (petrol) 1.0 L Kappa II I3 (petrol/LPG) 1.0 L Kappa II I3 (LPG) |
Electric motor | 50 kW (67 hp) |
Battery | 16.4 kWh lithium ion battery |
Range | 138 km (86 mi) |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,520 mm (99 in) |
Length | 3,595 mm (141.5 in) |
Width | 1,595 mm (63 in) |
Height | 1,700 mm (67 in) |
Curb weight | 1,040 kg (2,293 lb) |
Overview
The initial roll out was a limited production of 2,500 units destined for the South Korean government fleets, scheduled to be deployed in 2012. The Kia Ray EV was a predecessor to an all-electric crossover SUV that, as of 2011, Kia Motors had planned to launch globally in 2014.[1] In May 2013 a fleet of 184 Kia Ray EVs were deployed in Seoul as part of a carsharing service called "Electric Vehicle Sharing” at a rate of US$5 per hour. The service had 15,000 registered customers by May 2013.[2]
The Ray has a unique door layout; the passenger side of the vehicle has a sliding door for the rear seats, while the driver's side has a swing-out door.[3] The car has a kei car-inspired boxy dimensions. The Ray's interior benefits from the square shape, as it has more space than most cars its size; however, it is only able to seat four people.
The Ray EV is the Kia's first production battery electric vehicle. It is powered by a 50 kW (67 hp) electric motor, with a 16.4 kWh lithium ion battery that allows an all-electric range of 138 km (86 mi) depending on driving conditions.[4]
The Ray is also available in non-EV types equipped with gasoline and bi-fuel with a gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) combination. Both engines are available in four trims - Deluxe, Special, Luxury and Prestige. Only available in the local Korea domestic market, both engines produce similar power and outputs. The gasoline engine generates 78 PS (57 kW; 77 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 9.6 kg.m/3,500 rpm. Both engines have displacements of 998 cc, generating fuel economies of 17 km/l for gasoline, and bi-fuel delivering 16.6 km/l on gasoline mode and 13.2 km/l on LPG mode. Gasoline engine models weigh in at 998 kg (2,200 lb) with bi-fuel models weighing in at 1,042 kg (2,297 lb). Both are equipped with a 4 speed automatic transmission, and are currently sold in the Republic of Korea.
Facelift
The Ray received a facelift for the 2018 model year. Changes consist of a new front end design with a closed grill and a revised interior.[3]
Gallery
- Kia Ray EV (front)
- Kia Ray EV (rear)
- Right side featuring sliding rear door
- Interior
- Facelift (front)
- Facelift (rear)
See also
References
- "Kia Introduces Ray EV, We Offer Initial Impressions". Car & Driver. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- Eric Loveday (2013-05-06). "South Korea Now Offers Electric Vehicle Rentals With Rollout of 184 Kia Ray EVs". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2013-06-07.
- Sarne, Vernon B. (2019-07-24). "The Kia Ray city car is nice, but can we really afford it?". Visor. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
- "New Kia Ray is Korea's first production EV". Autoblog Green. 2011-12-22. Archived from the original on 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2012-01-06.