Kia XCeed And Ceed Sportswagon Gain New Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain

Kia has pulled the wraps off its new plug-in hybrid versions of the XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon, which are set to go on sale in Europe in early 2020.

Both of the new electrified Kias use a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with a 60 HP electric motor and a 8.9 kWh for a combined 139 HP (141 PS) and 195 lb-ft (265 Nm) of torque.

Unlike most compact hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in the market which come fitted with a CVT gearbox, the new Kias feature a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which according to the company allows for the full output of both the engine and the motor to be transferred in parallel to the wheels.

Also Read: Kia XCeed Plug-In Hybrid To Get 139 HP Niro PHEV Powertrain

The new Kia XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon PHEV target an all-electric range of 37 miles (60 km), as both of them will be homologated in the coming months. A so-called Virtual Engine System is also present, emitting an audible warning sound to pedestrians when the vehicle is moving under electric power alone.

Visually, the plug-in hybrid versions of the XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon are separated from their siblings thanks to the new closed-off ‘tiger-nose’ front grille. The charging port is mounted on the left front fender.

Inside, the new Kia models can be fitted with an optional 10.25-inch infotainment system that features model-specific functions, like showing the location of the available charging points in their vicinity and other hybrid-related information. Customers can also opt for a digital, 12.3-inch instrument cluster as well.

The new Kia XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid models will be built at the company’s factory in Žilina, Slovakia, exclusively for the European market.