This is the Sportage fuel cell vehicle, one of the technically most advanced vehicles using fuel cell technology!

According to Kia, the Sportage FCEV is based on the second-generation Sportage, and has been developed alongside the conventional Sportage model. It uses the same powertrain architecture as the new Hyundai Tucson FCEV prototype, which has also been developed to showcase the company’s highly advanced fuel-cell technology to the world.

Kia’s decision to enter the hydrogen-fuel cell development stream might seem unusual at first, being that most experimental projects of this magnitude are normally explored only by the largest automotive firms, but Kia is not only committed to the green movement but also is targeting to be among the top five global volume leaders by 2010. Therefore such development is an essential part of the company’s growth.

A collaboration of Kia’s engineers and experts called in from North America came together to engineer and assemble the Sportage FCEV. Unlike hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, such as BMW’s 7-Series and MINI Cooper dual-fuel prototypes that can operate on gasoline or hydrogen, Kia’s concept ingests a strict diet of hydrogen assisted by electrical power.

Although hydrogen-power is expected to be the next step forward in zero-emissions vehicles, there are many problems that pure electric/fuel cell vehicles face. One of the roadblocks was creating enough power and torque to move the SUV along at a reasonable rate of speed. Another, equally important, was giving the vehicle enough range to make it useful for daily driving. What’s more, cold-weather energy storage posed critical problems if prospective future owners could expect to operate it in sub-zero temperatures.

In a smart move, Kia decided to work in collaboration with world-renowned fuel cell experts UTC Fuel Cells of Hartford, Connecticut and Enovas Systems of Torrance, California for drivetrain solutions, the same group that helped Kia’s parent automaker Hyundai’s Santa Fe FCEV score best-in-class for efficiency and noise at the 2001 Michelin Challenge Bibendum.

Together, the two firms adapted a zero-emissions drivetrain which could be fitted to the Sportage’s conventional chassis. In place of the conventional 2.0-liter I-4 or 2.7-liter V6 gasoline engines is a ZEV powerplant that’s capable of producing 80 kW (107 horsepower) of output which can propel the Sportage to 150 km/h (93 mph).

Aside from the powerful motor, Kia has also equipped the Sportage FCEV with a 152-liter hydrogen storage tank that’s mounted low on the chassis, ahead of the rear axles, allowing for a maximum range of 330 km (205 miles). The cylindrical fuel tank’s positioning actually lowers the Sportage’s center of gravity, and unlike other fuel cell vehicles, does not intrude on interior space. A new lithium ion polymer battery which has undergone extensive testing provides 152 volts of charge, allowing the Sportage to operate in harsher climates.

The FECV concept is visually identical to the Sportage, featuring production bumpers, cladding and wheels, although this particular vehicle sports aluminum bodywork and panels to reduce weight. Kia says that that the FCEV features a similar power to weight ratio as regular steel-bodied Sportages, ensuring show-goers that such a vehicle could keep up with fast-moving traffic. On the inside, little has been changed. The Sportage’s roomy cabin features new gauges for the hydrogen drivetrain system, while on-road refinement is expected to be greater due to reduced noise levels from the silent powertrain.

According to Kim Sang-Kwon, president of Research and Development for the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the Sportage FCEV has a definite role in Kia’s pursuit of green power. Kwon commented, “Now we will be able to build fuel cell electric vehicles in higher volumes for fleet testing and the latest Sportage FCEV drives us closer to the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles.”

To Kia, the FCEV concept is a giant leap forward, but the Korean firm still has a fair deal of work left over for its engineers. As many of Kia’s mass-production vehicles are smaller than the Sportage, the automaker is interested in developing a scaled down version of the system for suitable use in compact vehicles. As for now, Kia will continue on its path of developing a commercially viable zero-emissions vehicle based off of the technology seen here. The final product is expected to debut by 2012.