Kia has released a teaser image of the Ray Plug-in Hybrid Concept that they will be unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show on February 10. According to Kia, the Ray "sits upon a plug-in hybrid drive platform and showcases the direction Kia is considering for its future plug-in hybrid vehicle."

 

The concept was designed at Kia's Design Center in Irvine, CA.

 

The Kia Design Center America is a 100,700-square-foot building that consists of a design studio, modeling studio that allows multiple cars to be worked on at the same time, a milling shop, 2-D and 3-D presentation rooms, a color and trim room, a wood/metal shop, a paint booth, recreation room, a research library, and an underground garage.

 

"By establishing the first Kia-exclusive U.S. design center in Irvine, we can take advantage of the tremendous design talent and inspiration provided by the Southern California car culture in a functional environment set up to maximize our designers' abilities and creativity," said Tom Kearns, Kia Motors U.S. chief designer.

 

The center opened on June 24, 2008, cost Kia $130 million, and also houses Kia Motors America Headquarters.

 

 

Source: Kia-World.net; Carbodydesign.com