Kia Motors has launched Soul Flex, a model it claims to be Korea’s first Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV), at the Brazilian Motor Show in São Paulo.
Scheduled to go on sale in Brazil early next year, Soul Flex is able to run on 100% ethanol, 100% gasoline or an ethanol-petrol mixture and has been designed for the Brazilian market, where flex models account for more than 85% of new car sales.
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Brazil is currently ranked second in the world in terms of ethanol production, which is 40% cheaper than petrol says Kia. As well as lower fuel costs, the industrial product tax or purchase tax on new flex vehicles is 11% – some 2% lower than petrol models.
Changes made to accommodate the more abrasive nature of ethanol fuel include reinforcing the fuel pump, pillar cap and fuel line, and fitting a petrol tank assistance system in order to aid engine ignition at low temperatures.
Kia adds it is aiming to introduce new flex models in each market segment – starting with a new Sportage FFV towards the end of 2011.
Brazil has been one of Kia’s best performing markets so far in 2010, with sales increasing by 151% year-on-year, reaching 40,865 units up to the end of September.
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