Jennings Kia, part of the multi-award winning Jennings Motor Group, offers a range of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles for environmentally conscious customers at its Stockton, Washington and new Sunderlandbased dealership.
In 2016, Kia launched its first plug-in hybrid electric model in the UK – the Optima PHEV.
Steven Flack, franchise manager at Jennings Kia in Stockton, said: “Hybrids and electric cars are becoming commonplace as a result of more customers becoming increasingly conscious about the impact emissions are having on the environment, in addition to a number of financial advantages being on offer, including government grants and the lower cost of “filling up” compared to a tank of petrol.
“The wide range of hybrid and electric vehicles available at Jennings Kia all offer fuel economy and styling, active safety technologies and high levels of specification, as well as offering Kia’s unique-in-the-UK seven-year or 100,000-mile peace of mind warranty.”
With a range of up to 33 miles in all-electric mode, the Optima PHEV is able to complete many regular urban commuter runs with no tailpipe emissions, with a CO2 figure of just 37g/ km means company car users pay just 9 per cent benefit-in-kind taxation in 2017/2018.
The Optima PHEV combines a 154bhp 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine with a 50kW (67bhp) electric motor powered by a 9.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The electric motor replaces the torque converter in the smooth shifting sixspeed automatic transmission.
A package of aerodynamic, styling and technology features contribute towards the Optima PHEVs low CO2 emissions and potential fuel economy of up to 176.6mpg. 2016 also saw the addition of the all-new Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle to Kia’s expanding range.
Combining crossover looks with hybrid technology, the all-new Niro boasts a parallel hybrid system that switches between petrol and electric power, or uses a combination of both, and charges the battery whenever it can.
A 1.6-litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) petrol engine, engineered specifically for hybrid applications, is paired with a 32kW electric motor and a lithium-ion polymer battery pack.
Other models on offer in the hybrid range at Jennings Kia include the Niro PHEV, Optima Sportswagon PHEV, and the pure-electric Soul EV.
The group’s three dealerships also sell Kia’s entire new car range, which caters for everyone’s needs with a wide choice of compact, mid-sized, MPVs, SUVs and Saloon models, all on display and readily available to test drive at Jennings Kia.
A range of aftersales facilities, including service, MOT and genuine parts and accessories are also on offer at all dealerships.
