Kia Motors is to launch a diesel mild hybrid Sportage later this year: its first car to feature this powertrain technology.

The EcoDynamics+ powertrain reduces CO2 emissions by supplementing acceleration with electric power from an additional 48-volt battery and extending combustion engine ‘off time’ using a new mild-hybrid starter-generator unit.

Kia said this technology offers a cost-to-performance ratio compared to full hybrid powertrains and will enable it to offer a cleaner diesel engine.

The system is paired with Kia’s Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) active emissions control technology, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 4% on the new worldwide harmonized light vehicles test procedure (WLTP), and up to 7% on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

Sportage will be the first model to offer the new EcoDynamics+ powertrain later in 2018. The all-new third-generation Kia Ceed will be the second among a range of Kia models to offer the new powertrain from 2019.

Kia plans to launch 16 advanced powertrain vehicles by 2025, including five new hybrids, five plug-in hybrids, five battery-electric vehicles and – in 2020 – a new fuel-cell electric vehicle.

The diesel mild-hybrid powertrain is compatible with both manual and automatic transmissions, and could be adapted for front-, rear- and all-wheel drivetrain layouts. The powertrain will also be adapted for use in petrol engines.