At the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show, Qoros presents a five-door crossover - the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept - that features a compact hatchback body, enhanced traction properties and an advanced hybrid drive.

The concept illustrates how the design themes introduced in the Qoros 3 Sedan may be applied to its future model range. It also offers a glimpse ahead to the brands future technological developments with a pioneering hybrid drive that not only enhances efficiency but that also provides an exceptional all-wheel driving experience.

The intelligent Qoros modular vehicle architecture is a key factor in ensuring that new models can be introduced quickly and efficiently, and the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept is based on the same vehicle platform as the Qoros 3 Sedan.

With the same long wheelbase (2,690 mm) and wide track as the sedan, the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept exhibits generous proportions and a solid, planted road presence.

Hallmark design features reinterpreted
The Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept showcases a mild evolution of the styling introduced on the production sedan. Elegant lines and balanced proportions lect sporty aspirations. Short body overhangs and the coupé-like roof line flowing into the hatchback tailgate give the five-door model a touch of dynamic flair. Horizontally oriented lines highlight the width of the boldly shaped rear, which featuresa large tailgate.

The front view of the concept is almost identical to the Qoros 3 Sedan, but the core elements of the Qoros face are supplemented with bespoke accents. The lower air inlet at the bottom of the trapezoidal grille stretches further back, highlighting the concepts powerful front stature. Also distinctive are the rounded contours of the fog lamps, which are placed wide apart.

The headlamp clusters, featuring LED bars at their top edge as daytime running lights, are the same as those on the Qoros 3 Sedan, stretching far into the flanks and into a striking contour edge which runs through the door handles and rises continuously to the rear. The rear light clusters - unique to this concept, feature horizontal LED light bars in a neat compact arrangement.

Its raised ground clearance and specific design features that emphasise its robust, versatile characteristics hint at the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concepts potential for excursions beyond the asphalt. It features underbody protection at the front and rear to protect against impacts, as well as uprated suspension and damper systems that ensure occupants remain comfortable even on rough terrain.

A combination of hybrid drive and all-wheel system for increased driving pleasure and efficiency

The development of advanced engineering innovations is a core strategic activity for the brand and the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept features an advanced hybrid drive system developed in partnership with leading electric drive systems specialist American Axle.

A three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 97 kW (130 bhp) is installed transversely at the front to drive the front wheels.

A 50 kW electric motor is housed between the luggage compartment floor and the rear axle, not only convenient for power transfer but also safely isolated from rear collision impacts. The motor is powered by a LG Chem lithium-ion battery with a maximum capacity of 1.9 kilowatt-hours.

A second electric motor - the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) - is mounted between the petrol engine and the transmission. Its role, as well as to start the petrol engine more discreetly - with less noise and less vibration - than a traditional starter motor, is to charge the rear electric motors dedicated battery so that the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept can operate continuously in all-wheel drive mode. And, during the most demanding driving, the ISG delivers additional power to the front axle, allowing the concept to deliver surprisingly swift performance: zero to 100 km/h is achieved in less than 7.0 seconds (provisional target, not yet verified).

Intelligent control software ensures seamless transition between petrol-engine front-wheel drive, electric motor rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive, depending on the most efficient mode to respond to the drivers inputs and the prevailing road conditions.

The Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept can be driven in pure-electric mode at a speed of up to 120 km/h, and for a maximum range of approximately four kilometres (provisional target, not yet verified).

Kia has slowly been etching upmarket around the world, and most of their latest crop of models are considered among the top picks in their class. The Optima Hybrid, which is priced from under $26,000, is one of those vehicles, and in an effort to keep it up to date, the Korean automaker has announced several updates for the 2013 model year car.
The Koreans claim the revised car is more "performance-driven" and fuel efficient, despite the fact that its overall power figure is down from the previous models 206 hp, to 199 hp. However, thanks to a new revised 47 hp electric motor, torque is up from 195 to 235 lb-ft (264 to 318 Nm), and this makes the car more responsive in every-day driving conditions.
 The 2013 Optima Hybrid is also predictably a bit more efficient than the previous model, achieving 36 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway, for a combined overall rating of 38 mpg. It also features more trunk space than before, despite having no exterior body changes.
This has been achieved with the installation of a more compact Lithium Polymer battery, which benefits from better packaging techniques.
A new set of more aerodynamic rims are also now installed as standard – 16-inch on the base model and 17-inch on the EX. It also rides lower than before, in an effort to reduce drag.
Buyers can specify a panoramic glass roof, a reversing camera, an 8-speaker Infinity audio system and heated and cooled leather front seats, to name but a few of the available options.