Kia Soul Hybrid Coming to U.S.

With its all new Soul, Kia will be joining the growing field of fuel sipping, compact crossover vehicles that includes top selling vehicles like the Honda Fit, Scion xB, and MINI Countryman. As with other Kia models, one of the Kia Soul's biggest plusses will be its more affordable price tag.

Based on the Kia Rio, it has a short overall length of 159 inches but a rather long 100 inch wheelbase, meaning wheels are located at the corners. Like other competitors in this class, it is rather tall at over feet. This, plus the definitively boxy styling, means the five-door hatchback has lots of carrying capacity. Seating for five is provided on its two rows of seats and easy access is afforded by tall doors.

The new Kia Soul, called an urban crossover passenger car, will be offered with front-wheel drive only. Three engines will be available - two gasoline and a diesel - depending on the market. U.S. bound cars will be available with either a 1.6-liter or 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, gasoline engine. Both engine have continuously variable valve timing and are rated at 122 and 142 horsepower, respectively. A five-speed manual transmission will be standard with a four-speed automatic optional.

In other markets, there will also be a 122 horsepower 1.6-liter diesel with a variable geometry turbocharger. Both 1.6-liter DOHC engines are based closely on those fitted to the very successful Kia cee'd built in Slovakia for the European market. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder is based on the engine used in the Kia Spectra. Fuel consumption is expected to range from 35 to 46 mpg while CO2 figures vary between 137 and 159 g/km for European models.

As expected in virtually all vehicles today, standard safety features should include anti-lock disc brakes and an anti-skid/traction-control system or Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Six airbags include front side airbags and curtain side airbags for both seating rows. Conveniences like air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, keyless entry, stereo, and Bluetooth capability will be found in uplevel trim models. The instrument panel design includes a triple dial instrument cluster, thick-rimmed steering wheel, and center switch pod with large knobs.

Like its direct competitors, Kia will be aiming the Soul at youthful, style-conscious buyers. This means there will be an abundance of personalizing options like body kits, graphics packages, and up to 18 inch wheels to replace the standard 15 or 16 inch ones that come with the vehicle. The aftermarket is already working on even more customizing items for the Soul.

The Soul was designed in Southern California with the U.S. market a top consideration, then developed in Korea and Europe. Kia is now building the Soul in both left- and right-hand drive configurations at its Gwangju facility in Korea for its own home market as well as the U.S. and Europe. It will go on sale in Europe in February 2009 and in the U.S. beginning in April 2009 as a 2010 model. Prices have not been set, but Kia says the base price will be 'in the low teens' and even with all the bells and whistles, it shouldn't break the $20,000 barrier.

Kia has recently shown several 'green' concept cars including a Soul Hybrid. This hybrid concept uses Kia's Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine mated to a 15 kilowatt AC electric motor, a continuously variable transmission, ISG (Idle Stop&Go), and regenerative braking. The prototype is designed to offer fuel consumption in the range of 57 mpg and a CO2 figure of 117 g/km.