By Drew Johnson
Wednesday, Feb 10th, 2010 @ 5:06 pm

After releasing two preview images, Kia has officially revealed its Kia Ray plug-in concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Developed under Kia’s EcoDynamics sub-brand, the Ray concept represents the fifth vehicle penned by Kia’s Irvine, California Kia Design Center America to debut in the last year.

Based on the same platform as the Kia Forte , the Ray plug-in concept is intended to blend high style with outstanding fuel economy. Per the latest industry trend, the Ray takes the form of a four-door coupe.

“It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process, because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies,†said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation. “Being green doesn’t have to be an obvious statement anymore and the Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today’s environmentally conscious consumers.â€

The Ray’s sleek body is constructed of lightweight and recycled materials. Economy is further improved through roof-mounted solar panels that aid in vehicle cooling, not unlike the setup currently used on the Toyota Prius . The Ray also utilizes “cool-glazing” solar glass to keep the vehicle’s interior at a comfortable temperature.

Underhood, the Ray uses a 153 horsepower direct-injection 1.4L four-cylinder mated to a 78kw electric motor, backed by a lithium-ion battery pack. The concept’s hybrid system in plug-in capable, with power provided by the Ray’s gas engine, electric motor or any combination of the two. Power is routed through a CVT gearbox.

Besting rivals like the Chevrolet Volt , the Kia Ray can travel up to 50 miles on electric power alone. When combined with the gas engine, the Ray achieves 202mpg, netting an overall range of 746 miles.

Kia hasn’t announced any production plans for the Ray, but the Hyundai -Kia group is expected to launch its first hybrid by the end of 2011, so a production version of the Ray may only be a few years off.

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