Kia on forward roll with Ray

Kia runs a specialist alternative fuel and power research programme that develops cars like the Kia Ray. Photo / Supplied

Yet another hybrid concept has been revealed, but this one may go into production. Based on the Cerato platform, the Kia Ray is a plug-in hybrid that incorporates existing Kia styling cues with a futuristic twist.

Although hybrids are entering the mainstream, cars like Toyota's Prius are partly popular because their owners visibly boast their green credentials.

Though Kia Motors chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, says, "Being green doesn't have to be an obvious statement any more," cars like the Ray still use the shapes mandated by aerodynamic efficiency to hint at the cutting-edge tech beneath.

Clean, smooth surfaces flow back to that high-deck lid to reduce drag, which is further improved at speed when the boot lid extends. The headlights even slide back to create air intakes for the petrol engine when required.

"It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process," Schreyer says.

"People want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies."

Kia has been working on real-world hybrid and hydrogen fuel cars for some years, with a specialist alternative fuel and power research programme developing cars under the "EcoDynamics" badge, worn by the company's most efficient cars.

They include hybrid versions of the Sorento SUV, the cee'd and Forte.

But unlike these vehicles, Ray is a plug-in hybrid. It uses a 114kW 1.4-litre petrol engine mated to a 78kW electric motor and controlled by a CVT auto transmission.

It can travel 80km on electricity alone, while the hybrid system boasts a claimed thirst of just 1.3l/100km.

Ray is designed using lightweight materials and, like Toyota's Prius i-Tech, has solar cells within the glass roof to power climate control and lighting systems. It also features touch-screen controls and cool-glazing solar glass to cut heat entering the cabin.

Such features would make it to production - though the motion detection cameras that replace the side view mirrors and door handles will not.