KIA is offering chilly motorists the chance to experience the Comfort Heater. The device, an addition to Kia’s accessory range, can warm up a car at either a pre-set time, by remote control or by telephone.

Prices start at £995. It is available on any Kia model and is particularly ideal for fitting in the people-carrying Sedona, whose large exterior can require significant effort to scrape clear of ice. The Comfort Heater systems works via an auxiliary glow plug burner, which uses the vehicle’s fuel to heat the coolant. The heated coolant is then circulated around the engine and after 10 minutes the heater fan is switched on, thereby warming the car’s interior.

During the summer months the system can be used to circulate the hot air inside the car, helping to reduce the interior temperature. The system is activated by an interior timer, remote control, telephone, or a combination of all three. Telephone activation is useful if returning from a night out or to a long term car park at the airport, for example. Simply dial a number 30 minutes before you need to use the car.

The system also reduces engine wear and harmful emissions against a car being started and used directly from the cold.