Kia has officially taken the wraps off the all-new 2009 Kia Soul that is going to be officially unveiled in Paris next month.
The Soul is going to be offered with a choice of two 1.6L engines (diesel and gas).in Europe early next year.
In the US the Soul will be powered by a 142 horsepower 2.0L engine.
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PRESS RELEASE:
Kia’s sharply-stylish new segment-busting Kia Soul is set to win over minds as well as hearts at the Paris Salon de l’Automobile in October 2008 with confirmation that the urban crossover will come to Europe next year with a choice of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines.
Kia Soul will go on sale in mainland Europe next February with a choice 126 ps diesel and petrol engines based on the DOHC engines already fitted to the hugely successful, European-built, Kia cee’d - with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, depending on model. Right-hand drive production is due to start in March 2009.
The diesel engine generates 126 ps at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 255 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The all-aluminium petrol engine also produces 126 ps at 6,300 rpm and 156 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm.
“The Kia Soul is a brand new urban crossover car packed with chic design, liberating ideas and cavernous passenger space for active people with busy lives,” enthused Paul Philpott, Managing Director of Kia Motors (UK) Limited.
“And we can’t wait to see it on UK roads in the Spring of 2009 where its unique modern looks and strong individual appeal will make it a ‘must-have’ for everyone from young singles and couples to more mature motorists who insist on putting fun into their driving,” he added.
Kia Soul is a five-door hatchback with front-wheel drive, a high roofline and an unusually long wheelbase. The key elements behind Kia Soul’s striking appearance are its vertical measurements. Overall height is 1,610 mm but the base of the windscreen is 135 mm higher than a typical compact car, the hip-points are 120 mm higher and the ground clearance is raised by 45 mm.
Access to the new Kia Soul’s spacious interior is remarkably easy and the cabin will deliver head, leg and shoulder room that matches or beats many larger vehicles. Generous headroom (1020/1005 mm front/rear), legroom (1070/990 mm front/rear) and shoulder room (1403/1400 mm front/rear) will ensure Kia Soul can easily adapt to the changing demands of its owner when pressed into giving friends or family a lift!
Looking ahead to the Paris Show debut, Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer, Kia Motors Europe, commented: “Kia Soul is about surprise and style and the experience of sitting in the Kia Soul is unique. First impressions will make a big impact. Tall doors and high-mounted seats make for easy access and an airy interior, yet the ‘laid-back’ dashboard design, triple dial instrument cluster and thick-rimmed steering wheel create an unusual combination of spaciousness for passengers and cosiness for the driver generating a very special ambience.”
Kia Soul will be manufactured at Gwangju facility in Korea from November 2008. In the USA and several non-European markets a 2-litre, 142 ps petrol engine will also be available.
Comments (12)
Looks a hell of a lot better than the Element or that Scion box. Too bad they aren't bringing the diesel into the US.
1st!!!
Posted by sintekk | September 2, 2008 9:02 AM
Posted on September 2, 2008 09:02
I don't really care for the Element, but I rather like the Scion tB, especially the newly redesigned model. The front end of this one isn't bad, but the rear looks very confused as if the designers couldn't figure out where the taillights were supposed to go.
Posted by Jared | September 2, 2008 9:25 AM
Posted on September 2, 2008 09:25
I don't really care for the Element, but I rather like the Scion tB, especially the newly redesigned model. The front end of this one isn't bad, but the rear looks very confused as if the designers couldn't figure out where the taillights were supposed to go.
Posted by Jared | September 2, 2008 9:26 AM
Posted on September 2, 2008 09:26
And I thought the Honda Element was weird looking (the new scion isn't too bad).
Why does it seem like the definition of an economy car includes fuglyness and lazy performance?
IMO, you should not always get what you pay for!!!
Posted by Saheed | September 2, 2008 9:59 AM
Posted on September 2, 2008 09:59
The reason why it seems as if the definition of an economy car includes fuglyness and lazy performance is because for alot of automakers, that is what it includes.
You generally can't have high performance and high efficiency. Good looks and ample interior space don't go hand-in-hand. It's all about give and take and compromise.
The Kia Soul isn't a big car so why should it have a big engine? By design it's not a performance car so why give it lightweight wheels, performance tires, or 4 wheel drive. This car is an urban runabout and is for all the utilitarians out there.
The design says it all to me. With the diesel powerplant giving it 188 ft-lbs of torque it should be a little peppy.
Posted by D! | September 2, 2008 11:09 AM
Posted on September 2, 2008 11:09
Excuse me while I yack my lunch.
Posted by :( | September 2, 2008 1:28 PM
Posted on September 2, 2008 13:28
That car will go down in history as one of the ugliest cars in the world.
Posted by vman | September 2, 2008 1:43 PM
Posted on September 2, 2008 13:43
I thought it was Seoul?
Posted by zippy | September 2, 2008 5:45 PM
Posted on September 2, 2008 17:45
looks kinda cool to me, very european in design, kinda something peugot would put out. small, yet roomy, neat.
Posted by al | September 2, 2008 8:18 PM
Posted on September 2, 2008 20:18
You know, I don't "hate" it. But what is with cars and flat fenders? Look at those pictures. It even has 2 ridge lines along the fenders for extra flatness! WTF? Why can't you have fenders that roll off into the wheel well?
I have never seen a truly custom car with flattened fender lines. It's like car designers need to actually go out and see what real auto body people make in their garages.
Ugh..
The new VW Beetle is a great example. The 1st gen had a very small ridge and flat area, then on the redesign (along 2005?) that ridge got more defined and much wider. It totally ruined the look of the car to me. It made me think someone had taken it and put it in a vise and just compressed the whole thing.
Posted by Brian | September 3, 2008 12:02 AM
Posted on September 3, 2008 00:02
I like the back of it, it looks pretty sharp in black. I wouldn't buy it though the front of it looks borderline goofy looking.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | September 3, 2008 5:39 AM
Posted on September 3, 2008 05:39
Exactly. Why are all the new car fenders flattened off like that? I noticed Mazda got heavy into this with the RX8 and then introduced it on their whole line. Me no likey. At least this doesn't have the slab sided doors that Toyota and Nissan seem to be pushing.
Posted by Remyj | September 3, 2008 6:22 AM
Posted on September 3, 2008 06:22