Kia’s been catching my eye lately. First, with that adorable sock monkey on the company’s “awww”-inducing Super Bowl commercial.  Now, with the unveil of a sleek hybrid concept in Chicago. A plug-in compact sedan dubbed “Ray,” the concept car mates a 1.4-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor and lithium-ion polymer batteries, and hypothetically offers drivers a 746-mile range.  (That’s 202 MPG on a single charge.) As for speed, the curvaceous four-seater tops out at 109 MPH.

Crafted of lightweight composite materials that lend an aerodynamic appeal, the car catches eyes with a dark, shiny roof and hood combo that upon close inspection, are glass panels embedded with solar cells.  The “cool-glazing” glass works to power climate control and lighting within the vehicle, which a nano-laminate film keeps the interior a comfortable temp.  Inside, eco-friendly materials like wool flooring are awash in white tones–and advanced technology like Microsoft’s UVO infotainment system digitally soothe drivers and passengers alike.

The concept, full of Kia’s test technology, seems to be a good indicator of what we’ll see in the not-so-far-away future.  As a part of the company’s EcoDynamics sub-brand, the Ray pleases both the design-savvy and environmentally minded.  And THAT pleases us. Our opinion?  Keep ‘em coming.