Xinhua, February 11, 2010

South Korean automaker Kia Motors Corp. unveiled its first ever plug-in hybrid concept car Thursday that is rechargeable and capable of running on both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, the company said in a statement.

The hybrid vehicle named "Ray" is still in its rudimentary stages but is being designed to reach a driving distance of more than 50 miles (80.46 km) per single battery charge using its electric motor, Kia said.

"Being green doesn't have to be an obvious statement anymore and Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today's environmentally conscious consumers," said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer of Kia, through a press release.

The Ray's interior is surrounded by eco-friendly recycled materials that are built to reflect the heat and sun, keeping the temperature relatively low and diminishing the need for air conditioning, the release added.

The exterior boasts a new feature called "cool car" technology, employing nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials that could dramatically reduce solar heat, the company said, as it could also drop air-conditioner use and greenhouse emissions as a result.

Although Kia did not announce the exact date of when the new hybrid car will be sold in the commercial market, the Ray was showcased at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show this week, the company said.

Kia, South Korea's second largest auto-maker, posted a record- high net profit of 1.45 trillion won (1.25 billion U.S. dollars) last year.