Kia has announced a series of upgrades for its “green” Optima which now gets a PHEV version  while the existing Hybrid model has been updated. On top of that, the South-Korean brand disclosed its plans for a future fuel-cell car.

The Kia FCV will debut in 2020 and it will join other hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles coming from the South Korean automaker. These will expand the company’s “green” car lineup from 4 to 11 models over the next 5 years and will contribute to the “ambition to becoming a leader in low emission vehicle market by 2020”. The Kia hydrogen-powered car will be the company’s answer to the Toyota Mirai and Honda Clarity FCV, but no other details have been made public so far.

Besides announcing the new FCV, the automaker also unveiled the new Optima Plug-In Hybrid, which will be the company’s first PHEV for global markets and it will go on sale in the second half of 2016.

It comes with a 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder GDI engine, developing 156 PS (154HP) and 189 Nm (lb-ft) of torque, along with a 50 kW (68PS / 67HP) electric motor, 42 percent more powerful than the previous unit used on the Hybrid. The powertrain, which produces a total of 205 PS (202HP) at 6,000 rpm, works together with a 9.8 kWh lithium-polymer batter pack. This combination allows the car to operate in pure-electric mode at higher speeds with a driving range of up to 27 miles (43.4km).

The Optima PHEV is expected to deliver 99 US MPGe combined, with a targeted 40 US mpg combined in charge-sustaining mode. Batteries will be recharged in less than 3 hours using a 240V Level 2 charging station or 9 hours from a 120V power outlet.

Visual modifications like the “EcoPlug-In” badging, the chrome side sill moldings, the charging port on the driver-side front panel and the new designs for the wheels help the Optima PHEV to stand out from the regular versions.

Inside, there is a distinctive instrument cluster which provides info on the car’s functions and the powertrain status, along with a charge indicator on top of the dash, visible from the outside, which indicates the state of charge.

The Kia Optima Hybrid was slightly upgraded and it now has a 2.0-liter GDI Nu with 156 PS (154HP), instead of the old 2.4-liter MPI with, a 38 kW (52PS / 51HP) electric motor and an updated six-speed auto. The transmission houses the electric motor and clutch, replacing the torque convertor in regular models.

The powertrain delivers a total of 195 PS (192HP), at 6,000 rpm, less than the previous model’s 199 PS (196HP). The lithium-polymer batter pack is 13 percent more efficient than before, with a 1.62 kWh capacity. This was fitted underneath the boot floor, resulting in a more practical loading area.

In order to set it apart visually from the regular Optimas, Kia added chrome elements on the grille surround, side sills and rear bumper, along with the new active grille and the “EcoHybrid” and “EcoPlugin” badges.

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