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Soul EV: Kia hamsters back on the beat

Since its debut in 2009 Kia’s funky Soul and accompanying trio of music-loving hamster has, the automaker says, become a hit with buyers as US sales of the MPV increase each year.

The latest instalment of Kia Motors America's (KMA) hamster ad campaign finds the automaker’s furry ambassadors working in a laboratory and unleashing their inner mad scientists to create Kia’s most eco-friendly MPV yet – the Soul EV.

Set to the beat of Maroon5's ‘Animals’ song, the video reveals a new addition to the hamster pack as well as the the 2015 Soul EV. As part of its 'Fully Charged' campaign, Kia.com is offering 200 000 free downloads of ‘Animals’ before its release on iTunes.

KIA'S LATEST HAMSTER AD

Created by David&Goliath, Kia's advertising agency, an extended cut of Fully Charged is available on Kia’s website.

VIDEO: Kia's new Soul EV - Fully Charged

Michael Sprague, KMA executive vice-president for sales and marketing, said: "From hip-hop to pop, the hamsters have always had an ear for music and their paws on the pulse of pop culture. In 2014 the smartly dressed trio are breaking new music from Grammy Award-winners Maroon5 and celebrating the expansion of Kia's line of eco-conscious vehicles by sharing 'Animals' free at Kia.com.

"Kia is recognised as one of the 50 Best Global Green Brands4, and with the Soul EV about to shake things up in a category not known for head-turning good looks, the hamsters are out to prove that eye-catching style and eco-efficiency are no longer mutually exclusive."

The Soul EV is powered by an 81.4kW electric motor and a high-capacity 27kW-hour lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The motor sends power to the front wheels and Kia claims the car can reach 100km/h in less than 12sec and reach 144km/h.

Kia claims a maximum range of 190km.
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