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The eco_cee'd concepts achieve reduced CO2 emissions, 17% lower in the pro_cee'd's case. To lower the drag of the five-door to 0.30 and that of the three-door to 0.29 (both production models have a Cd of 0.33), Kia lowered the suspension slightly and fitted smooth coverings underneath the front, middle, and rear of the cars. A low-drag grille and plastic wheel arch linings that smooth airflow around the wheels help too. Special Michelin Primacy HP 205/50 tires improve rolling resistance by 5%, and are mounted on 17-inch wheels that generate as little a disturbance to airflow as possible, according to Kia.
Both concepts make use of Idle Stop & Go (ISG), a system Kia developed with Bosch that turns the engine off when the car is stopped and during deceleration. In an ISG-equipped car, the ECU uses information from control systems around the car to decide when switching the engine off is safe.
Kia says that the eco_cee'd concepts lower fuel consumption by 17% over the production models but has not yet said how much of a premium the cars' green technology will cost consumers when used in 2009 European-market Kias.
Judging by the character in Kia's five Geneva concepts, the automaker's odd punctuation practices thankfully will not be the only amusing part of its Geneva Motor Show presence this year.
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