Kia Syros Flex-Fuel Concept Unveiled in India; Supports up to E100 Fuel

Kia India has showcased the Syros FFV (flex-fuel vehicle) concept in India. The Syros flex-fuel was showcased in India along with the launch of the Sorento SUV. At the event the South Korean automaker also showcased the Carnival Hybrid, Carens CNG, Carens Clavis CNG for the Indian market. The Syros flex-fuel is based on the existing Syros and continues with largely the same exterior and interior design. The major changes have been made to the powertrain and fuel system to allow the SUV to operate with different petrol-ethanol blends.

The Syros flex-fuel concept uses a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine. Kia has not revealed the power and torque figures of this version. The transmission setup is different from the standard turbo-petrol Syros. The regular model uses a 7-speed DCT, whereas the flex-fuel concept gets a 6-speed AT.

Kia has made changes to the engine control unit, transmission control unit and fuel system to accommodate varying ethanol concentrations. The fuel system components have also been modified to address the effects associated with higher ethanol content. The vehicle is designed to operate on petrol as well as ethanol-petrol blends, including E20, E85 and potentially E100.

A flex-fuel vehicle can run on petrol and different ethanol-petrol blends. The engine management and fuel system are calibrated to accommodate changes in the proportion of ethanol in the fuel.

India has already moved to E20 petrol, while higher ethanol blends are being considered for the future. This has led several manufacturers to showcase flex-fuel vehicles and prototypes.

The availability of higher ethanol blends, however, remains a factor for their wider use. E85 and E100 fuel are not currently available across the country in the same manner as conventional petrol.

Also Read: Kia Carens CNG, Carens Clavis CNG India Launch Soon

The Syros Flex-Fuel does not get significant visual changes compared with the standard model. It continues with the upright bonnet, lower-set grille and corner-positioned LED headlamps.

The side profile remains unchanged, while the rear section also carries over the design of the regular Syros. Kia has not indicated any major exterior differentiation for the flex-fuel version.

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The cabin layout is also carried over from the standard Syros. It gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The equipment list includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Kia Connect 2.0 and over-the-air updates. Other features include ventilated front and rear seats, a four-way powered driver’s seat, panoramic sunroof, rear AC vents, rear centre armrest with cupholders and reclining rear seats.