More Kia Soul Details & Images Released Ahead of Paris Unveiling

Kia Soul

By Clinton Deacon
September 2, 2008 12:00 pm
Filed Under: Kia

The Kia Soul has had a very favourable development process from concept to production with the original design making it past the cost cutters that usually try to tone it down. It will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October as previously announced when the first official images where released, now as the precious event draws ever closer, the Korean manufacturer has released a few new images along with a few technical details many Kia fans will be wanting to hear.

The production Kia Soul will be available with a choice of three engines: two gasoline powerplants along with a diesel option. The latter option will be a 1.6-litre turbodiesel power unit with VGT (variable geometry turbocharger), power output will stand at 126hp and 255Nm of torque. The gasoline engines start with a 1.6-liter option which generates 126hp and 156Nm of torque, as well as a 2.0-liter unit that boasts 142hp although this last option will only be available in the US and some non-European markets.

It is billed by Kia as a compact hatchback, but factors such as the long wheelbase, a tall overall height of 1610mm and a ground clearance of 45mm puts the model closer to the crossover sector.

The Kia Soul will go on sale in mainland Europe next February whilst the UK will have to wait a little longer with production of a right-hand-drive version sue to start in March.

Source: Kia

Comments

racsozelev
September 2, 2008 5:53 pm
i don´t mind if it is a kia. it looks fantastic!!!! europeans, wake up!!!

racsozelev
September 2, 2008 5:54 pm
i don´t mind if it is a kia. it looks fantastic!!!! europe, wake up!!!

BabyMilo
September 2, 2008 6:38 pm
the front end is ok i guess, but i dont like the rear...

kimbo
September 2, 2008 6:44 pm
a redesigned Skoda Fabia with higher suspension.

Tuner_Mad
September 2, 2008 7:57 pm
Looks like something different at least. This beats the Roomster on so many levels. Not sure about practicality, but I don't give a damn about that kinda stuff.

ericthedog
September 2, 2008 7:58 pm
to stylish to be a vag group copy , well done kia !!!!

si1982
September 2, 2008 9:43 pm
it looks good .... something different for a change ...

peterjames7
September 3, 2008 1:44 am
not a bad little car, only gripe i have is the interior looks exactly the same as a nissan note.

September 3, 2008 4:51 am
Hey that's my old apartment in the background of the first picture! How about that. It's amazing that a Korean car manufacturer is venturing into the territory of interesting looking cars. (The Ssangyong Rodeus does not count as interesting looking car...it's a hideous car) I'm actually thinking about buying one of these stick some Hello Kitty dolls on the window and give it to my wife. I hope the quality of the interior is better than that of the Kia Forte I saw at the stand last week.

odysseus
September 3, 2008 5:56 am
well done, mr. peter schreyer!

wills2007
September 3, 2008 6:29 am
What a silly name, the Kia Got-no-Soul, nearly as misleading a name as the Mitsubishi 'Charisma' of the 90's lol. It's ugly, bulbous, just buy a Golf and save face.

asif
September 3, 2008 7:09 am
buy a golf?....yeah right! its dull as ditchwater. was expecting vw to stick its neck out for the new gen and what do we get? big fat and boringly ugly golf. yaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn. the kia is in different league. it cute stylish and looks fun. wake up and stop having a dig at the koreans. the arrogance is getting boring cos it doesnt hold water.

localized
September 3, 2008 9:34 am
I like the box look. I am looking forward to seeing this in the US - hope it will be a 35mpg+? Doubt it but I can always hope. This looks better than a Scion XD. Hope they keep the quality up so it doesn't feel like an Aveo. Looks like they did a decent job with interior materials. Maybe offer a sport addition with lowered/stiffer suspension and racing seats like the SI except at a lower price? I would possibly consider. Hmmmmmmm...this or the Nissan Cube?

muellr
September 8, 2008 2:10 am
just little late to the party and then there is litte hype about kia or will the copy the kwel south side image of scion too? It just doesn't work to add the tough SUV style to that city hopper which the scion is. Can't beat the Japanese box!

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