Fleet World Workshop Tools
Car Tax Calculator
CO2 Calculator
Van Tax Calculator
BiK Rates Company Car Tax

Kia targets fleets with new 37g/km Optima PHEV

Kia has launched its first plug-in hybrid, the Optima PHEV, which brings up to 33 miles of all-electric range with CO2 emissions of 37g/km.

Kia Optima PHEV

The new Kia Optima PHEV brings up to 33 miles of all-electric range with CO2 emissions of 37g/km

Priced at £31,495 including the Government’s £2,500 plug-in car grant, the Optima PHEV combines a 154bhp 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine with a 67bhp electric motor powered by a 9.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and giving a total 202bhp.

Technologies include regenerative braking, a driving style guide, an ECO-DAS (ECOnomy Driver Assistance System) featuring Coasting Guide Control, a Drive Mode Select button so that drivers can personalise the powertrain’s dynamics, and an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Select switch. It also has an intelligent heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to save battery power.

In particular, the model’s benefits to fleet drivers are being highlighted.

With a range of up to 33 miles in all-electric mode, the Optima PHEV is able to complete many regular urban commuter runs with no tailpipe emissions, while its CO2 figure of 37g/km means company car users pay 7% Benefit-in-Kind taxation in 2016-17. It also offers potential fuel economy of up to 176.6mpg helped by a package of aerodynamic, styling and technology features.

In a statement, the brand highlighted that it has not brought hybrids to the UK market before due to the benefits of diesels to the company car market. It added: “The all-new Optima PHEV, with its extended all-electric driving range, low CO2 emissions and ultra-low company car tax rating, redress this balance and will be an important fleet car for Kia in the UK.”

Equipment includes an 8.0-inch touch-screen navigation system with European mapping, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (available later in the production run), Kia Connected Services powered by TomTom, a wireless mobile phone charger, a 270o around-view monitor and a 10-speaker harman/kardon Premium Sound audio system with Clari-Fi technology. Active safety provisions include Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management and Hill-start Assist Control.

Other features include 17-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights and headlights, welcome and follow-me-home lighting, black cloth and faux leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment on the driver’s side, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera integrated into the navigation screen, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshifter, steering wheel mounted controls, all-round electric windows, cruise control with a speed limiter, remote central locking and an electronic parking brake.

For more of the latest industry news, click here.

Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.