Kia has officially unveiled the Kia Ray plug-in concept at the Chicago Auto Show. The Ray concept is the fifth vehicle designed by Kia’s Irvine, California Kia Design Center America to debut.

Developed under Kia’s Ecodynamics sub-brand, the Kia Ray plug-in concept is intended to blend high style with outstanding fuel economy. Its sleek body is made from lightweight and recycled materials. It also has roof-mounted solar panels which help in cooling down the vehicle. The Ray also uses “cool-glazing” solar glass to keep the vehicle’s interior at a comfortable temperature.

“It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process, because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies,” said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation. “Being green doesn’t have to be an obvious statement anymore and the Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today’s environmentally conscious consumers.”

The Ray is powered by a 153 horsepower direct-injection 1.4 liter four cylinder engine that is paired to a 78kW electric motor. The system all backed up by a lithium-ion battery pack. Its hybrid system in plug-in capable, with power provided by the Ray’s gas engine, electric motor or any combination of the two. With power directed through a CVT gearbox, the Ray can travel up to 50 miles on electric power. Combined with the gas engine, the Ray can travel up to 202mpg.

Although the Hyudai-Kia group is expected to launch its first hybrid by the end of 2011, no words yet on the production plans for the Ray has been released by Kia.