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Kia has entered the green game for the first time with the all-new 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. Details are still forthcoming, but we expect the Optima Hybrid to have a 169-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and a 40-hp electric motor. The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is expected to go on sale in the fall of 2010.

Like its sister vehicle, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the Optima Hybrid combines a 30-kilowatt electric motor with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder to produce a combined 206 hp. The Optima Hybrid can cruise on electric-only power under light acceleration and sufficient battery charge. Overall trunk volume falls to 9.9 cubic feet. That's a considerable drop from the non-hybrid Optima's 15.4 cubic feet, but it's typical of a hybrid sedan: The Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid each sacrifice about 30 percent of trunk volume versus their non-hybrid equivalents.

Compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium polymer batteries weigh 20-to-30% less, occupy 40% less volume and are 10% more efficient. The complete hybrid system is controlled by the Optima’s Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) which acts as the car’s mastermind and integrates the smooth operation of the engine’s ECU, transmission’s TCU, battery management system (BMS), low voltage converter (LDC). For the Optima Hybrid, Kia has modified the six-speed automatic transmission found on the conventional Optima for hybrid application.

Energy and fuel-saving technologies features in the Optima Hybrid include a regenerative braking system, electric – rather than hydraulic – assisted power steering, and an electric air compressor capable of delivering high air-conditioning performance.

Two independent liquid cooling systems are fitted to the Optima Hybrid powertrain. The second low-temperature circuit cools the hybrid starter-generator and the power electronics.

Featuring front-wheel-drive, Optima utilizes independent suspension systems, with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link layout at the rear.