We were always suspicious Kia was up to something with the ground-breaking ‘Track’ster’ concept car – and now we know with the all-new Soul hatchback unveiled at the New York International Auto Show.
Longer and wider for more interior space and riding on a chassis which is 28.7 per-cent stiffer for better dynamics, Kia says the Soul has ‘grown-up’ but not lost its edge.
Due for launch in North America in the third quarter of this year, the all-new Kia Soul will be offered in three grades – ‘Base’, ‘Plus’ and ‘Exclaim’.
Another creation of the clever team at Kia’s Irvine, California design studios, the all-new Soul continues the company’s trend of production cars closely following the lead of concept vehicles – and for the Soul that means the critically-acclaimed ‘Track-ster’.
So the all-new Kia Soul adopts a tougher look but carries-over the upright stance, squared shoulders and fender flares which were highlights of the current model. Same for the high-mounted tail-lights and ‘wraparound’ glass.
New are LED up-front and rear LED ‘halo’ lights. Wheelbase and width are up, but the height remains the same.
And the nicely-styled rear tail-gate is also more practical – its opening is 60.9mm wider.
Inside are door-mounted audio speakers with LED strong-light technology to provide ripple-effect red-hued mood lighting. The driver gets a triple-circle instrument cluster with recessed gauges.
Power comes from Kia’s 97kW/160Nm ‘Gamma’ direct-injection 1.6-litre engine or the ‘Nu’ 122kW/205Nm 2.0-litre. Both have been fettled to provide more torque than previous versions.
Drive is via six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.
