Kia's Stop/Start Technology Introduction Gets Pushed Back
It’s becoming the latest thing on internal combustion engined vehicles, as automakers aim to boost fuel economy and reduce vehicle emissions, yet stop/start technology isn’t without its issues, as Kia Motors has discovered.
During an evaluation of Kia test vehicles equipped with the ISG (Idle, Stop and Go) technology, members of the press have reported a noticeable “shock” as the engine shuts off and then restarts. Kia also said that extremely cold and hot temperatures also affect the system’s ability to operate and plans to address these problems, meaning introduction of ISG on its Rio and Soul (shown above) models has been delayed until the second quarter of 2012.
Other automakers currently offering the technology include Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, plus Ford is also introducing it this year on the 2013 Fusion mid-size sedan.
In response to the teething troubles concerning ISG, Kia’s US marketing head, Michael Sprague, said, “it is a new technology, (and) we want to make sure it’s giving consumers the experience they would expect.” Indeed.
[Source: Ward’s Auto]
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