We're as surprised as you probably will be that we're about to say this, but...thank goodness for Kia.
You see, this year's Chicago show is a little thin on product introductions. And concept cars? Forget about it. And no, we don't really count the disguised production Odyssey that Honda called a concept to be a, you know, concept.
Then there was Kia acting like the big fish in this little pond. The company that once sold a car called the Sephia actually put the show business in the auto-show business this year. There were tuner versions of its production cars. There was a live band playing Bad Company and Lady Gaga. There were those vaguely creepy, life-size toy figurines from the company's Super Bowl commercial. There was a designer pretending to do sketches on stage. There was heavily scripted levity.
Oh, and Kia was the only car company to unveil a real concept car at Chicago. And not just a concept car but a concept car that apparently is capable of extending its tail at high speed for aerodynamic efficiency. And -- why not? -- it is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain (at least in theory). It has a glass hood and front "grille." And Kia is making pretty outrageous performance claims (202 mpg anyone?). It is, then, a proper concept car. The basic shape of the thing isn't too bad, either. But this is one of those times when we wish we could see it without all the auto-show dressing.
But then we suppose it wouldn't be a show without it, right?
Full story: Kia Ray Concept
inlinesix says:
03:54 PM, 02/10/10
Here we go again with the mpg claims...
My bicycle gets the equivalent of 132 mpg.
brn says:
04:24 PM, 02/10/10
inlinesix, your bicycle uses gasoline? My bicycle's mpg is infinite.
greenpony says:
06:35 PM, 02/10/10
The Chicago Auto Show has historically been about revealing production vehicles, not concept vehicles. The lack of concepts shouldn't surprise you.
inlinesix says:
02:04 AM, 02/11/10
brn: I just threw out a number but you've inspired me to research this:
My bike uses driver calories. If a person consumes a gallon of gas the energy could be rated at 31,000 calories. http://science.howstuffworks.com/gasoline1.htm
I figure I could actually ride 620 miles (yes, hugely variable) by burning 31,000 calories. The last thing I read says you'd burn about 40-50 calories a mile.
31,000 divided by 50 = 620
kingkhalas says:
08:58 AM, 02/11/10
Muno is not creepy.
YO Gabba Gabba!
e90_m3 says:
10:30 AM, 02/11/10
I didn't know Kia has a marketing agreement with Encyte and Valtrex....