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Kia Launches 2011 Optima with Hybrid Option

Green Car Congress

Kia Motors America (KMA) has launched the all-new 2011 Optima midsize sedan, first seen during the 2010 New York International Auto Show. Set to arrive in retail showrooms in early fall, the next generation Optima features three new powertrains including the brand’s first-ever hybrid in the US (available in 2011).

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Kia Optima Hybrid sets a new Guinness World Record for fuel economy; Gerdes and Bernius achieve average 64.55 mpg through 48 US states

Green Car Congress

A Kia Optima Hybrid ( earlier post ) driven by hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and his colleague Chris Bernius set a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle while driving through all 48 adjoining US states. mpg US (3.64 mpg US (3.64 mpg, which the Optima Hybrid exceeded by 23%.

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Kia updates Optima hybrid for MY2013; more power, better fuel efficiency

Green Car Congress

Kia Motors America (KMA) has introduced the updated 2013 Optima Hybrid, featuring a more performance-driven and fuel-efficient powertrain as well as more cargo space and premium features. Kia first introduced the hybrid in 2011. The base model achieves an EPA estimated 36 mpg US city, 40 mpg highway and 38 mpg combined (6.5,

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Hyundai and Kia settling litigation over fuel economy reductions; valued at up to $395M

Green Car Congress

Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America have entered into settlement agreements with current and former owners and lessees of vehicles affected by the Hyundai/Kia November 2012 lowering of fuel economy ratings. Earlier post.) 2424) in United States District Court for the Central District of California before Judge George H.

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2011 edition of EPA Fuel Economy Trends report shows several advanced powertrain technologies making significant gains

Green Car Congress

to 8.3%) and is projected to triple from MY 2009-2011 (to 13.7%); turbocharging is projected to double in MY 2011 (from 3.5% to 7.4%); cylinder deactivation is projected to nearly double in MY 2011 (from 6.4% to 11.1%); and both 6-speed and 7-speed transmissions approximately doubled from MY 2009-2011 (from 24.7%

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Hyundai & Kia to pay record $100M penalty for GHG conformity violations & lose $200M+ in emission credits

Green Car Congress

Hyundai and Kia will pay a combined $100-million civil penalty, the largest in Clean Air Act history, to resolve violations concerning the testing and certification of vehicles sold in the US (“Conformity Violations”) and will spend approximately $50 million on measures to prevent any future violations. Hyundai and Kia will also forfeit 4.75

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Hyundai/Kia to correct overstated fuel economy claims of MY 2012 and 2013 models as result of EPA investigation

Green Car Congress

Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America will reduce their fuel economy (mpg) ratings for a number of 2011-13 model year models in showrooms after EPA testing found discrepancies between agency results and data submitted by the company. The Sonata Hybrid will see a reduction of 1 mpg. City FE (mpg). Manual 2wd.