Often overlooked in the race to build greener cars, Kia is right there with the heavy-hitters from Japan, Europe, and the U.S. To whit, Kia will be unveiling the latest effort of its Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle program, the Kia Borrego FCEV, at the Los Angeles auto show next week.
Kia says the new Borrego FCEV features a new hydrogen fuel cell with a 44% higher output than previous generations. The new fuel cell puts out an additional 47 hp, bringing total output up to 154 hp, or 115 kW. The fuel cell is coupled with a 450-volt, 100 kW supercapacitor that can put out 134 hp, and the whole vehicle is driven by a 147-hp electric motor. Kia says the system's 62% efficiency is the best in its class.
Thanks in part to a curb weight of just 4960 lb, the new-and-improved Borrego FCEV can now hit a top speed of 100 mph and will reach 60 mph from a standstill in 12.8 sec. According to Kia, the Borrego FCEV retains a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of gasoline-powered models. The Borrego FCEV can be equipped with two or three 10,000psi hydrogen tanks and boasts a range of 426 miles with three tanks. Kia estimates the fuel economy will be roughly equivalent to a combined average of 54 mpg.
For more on the Kia Borrego FCEV and complete coverage of the 2008 Los Angeles auto show, keep your browser pointed at Trucktrend.com.
Source: Kia