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Kia unleashes SA-bound Soul

   • Second-generation Soul
   • Bigger, roomier plus five trim levels
   • Even more dramatic styling
   • DAB radio fitted as standard
   • Design cues from Track’ster concept car
   • Based on new Cee’d chassis

LONDON, England – Kia has launched its second-generation  Soul in the UK and the cars are now on sale from the equivalent of R220 800.

Kia SA says the Soul will arrive here in July/August 2014 but could not yet confirmtrim levels or engine specs; more information will be available closer to its launch.

Kia says the new car has "more dramatic SUV crossover styling, more space and a higher-quality cabin" and sharper driving dynamics thanks to a new chassis based on that of the Kia Cee’d.

TRACK'STER INSPIRED

It will be available with a choice of two engines and five trim levels and, Kia says, draws extensively on the Kia Track’ster concept shown at the 2012 Chicago auto show.

Kia added: “All versions are front-wheel-drive five-door crossovers – research has shown that while buyers desire the appearance, semi-elevated driving position and perceived safety advantages of a 4x4, they do not want the higher fuel consumption and taxation that all-wheel drive entails.”

Buyers can choose between 1.6 direct-injection petrol and turbodiesel engines, the latter having CO2 emissions as low as 132g/km and fuel consumption as low as five litres/100km.

The automaker has confirmed that a battery version, the Soul EV, will come later in  2014.

The two new trim lines, Soul Mixx and Soul Maxx, have been added to the Start, Connect and Connect Plus specifications.

MORE BEEF, MORE SOUL

Kia’s chief designer at its California studio, Tom Kearns, has adopted as many elements of the Track’ster concept as possible for the Soul, making it look sportier and tougher with the “bulldog” proportions of the Track’ster.

The cars have a 20mm longer wheelbase (2.57m) and are 4.140m long, 15mm wider (1.8m) and 10mm lower (1.6m).

The tail door opening is 62mm wider and provides access to a larger boot (354 litres and 1367 litres when the seats are down.)

The automaker says styling similarities to the Track’ster concept include its large trapezoidal front air-intake, fog lights and restyled "tiger-nose" grille. A body-colour "backpack" panel has been set into the tail.

The Soul is powered by a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel is capable of 94kW/260Nm and is mated to a six-speed manual. The 1.6 enables the Soul to reach 100km/h in 10.8sec and top speed of 180km/h.

The 1.6-litre GDi (gasoline direct injection) petrol engine is capable of 97Kw/161Nm, 100km/h in 10.6sec to top speed of 185km/h.
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