ELETRIC DREAMS

As well as the new estate shape, Kia have been showing off a plug-in hybrid version of their D-segment competitor, writes Matt Allan

Alongside the new Sportwagon, Kia has unveiled a plugin hybrid version of the Optima.

Currently only available as a saloon, the PHEV promises to be the cleanest, greenest Optima.

Headline stats are official test economy of 176.6mpg and CO2 emissions of just 37g/km. For company car buyers that means BIK of just seven per cent. For everyone it means fewer trips to the petrol station.

To generate these figures Kia have paired a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a 50kw electric motor to produce a total of 202bhp and 277b/ft of torque.

The drivetrain can operate on electric-only at speeds of up to 75mph and for a claimed 33 miles. Under harder driving the petrol will kick in either to charge the battery or help drive the wheels, with regenerative braking also helping keep the battery topped up.

Our short test route didn’t allow for a true test of economy but on a 45-minute drive on rural roads the Optima’s automatic drivetrain management was happy to let it cruise at 60mph in pure electric mode, meaning even extraurban runs don’ t have to eat into fuel reserves.

The Optima’s trump card is the plug-in system which can charge the battery in as little three hours, meaning those with regular short drives need rarely dip into the petrol supply.

The hybrid packs a total of 202bhp but doesn’t feel particularly powerful – blame the additional weight of the complex drivetrain for that.

That extra weight is noticeable between the PHEV and the standard car, compromising the ride slightly. The payoff is that there’s none of the diesel roar from the engine. Combined with the standard car’s already impressive lack of wind and road noise that makes for a peaceful longrange cruiser.

The PHEV is a standalone trim level but offers a mix of the 3 and GT Line specifications for its £31,495 price (that’s with the £2,500 government plug-in grant). At that price it’s in competition with low-spec versions of Mitsubishi’s hugely succesful plug-in Outlander and could be the ideal solution for those looking for the plug-in performance without the SUV’S size.