UK-Bound Kia Soul Tweaked by Lotus

Using another brand name to make your products appear more alluring and special is nothing new in the auto industry. But if there's one brand that has no problem whatsoever associating its name with other carmakers, that has to be Lotus. In its latest venture, the British firm has lent a helping hand to Kia to fine-tune the UK market Soul crossover. Lotus has been working on the Soul since late 2008, customizing the overall suspension settings and bump stops for UK road conditions ahead of the crossover's market launch in March.

This is the first time that Kia has developed a model specifically for UK roads and drivers in mind. "The result of our partnership with Lotus is a more composed ride which we think is much more suitable to what our roads can throw at Soul, and additionally, it is also a more exciting car to drive," said Paul Philpott, Managing Director, Kia UK.

Detroit Show: Kia's Fun Soulster Pickup Concept

One of the most interesting and realistic concept studies at this year's Detroit Show is the Kia Soulster, or as the Korean automaker calls it, the Soul'ster. Derived from the just introduced Soul crossover, the two-door concept blends elements of a mini-pickup and a roadster, in a rather convincing and funky way.

The front-wheel drive four seater features a shortened windshield for a more low-slung appearance as well as a two-piece top that enables passengers to expose the front and back seating areas independently.

The tops slide on a black roll bar that extends to the back of the vehicle providing extra protection. Other unique features include the restyled fascia, new LED headlamps and 19-inch, five-spoke aluminum alloys.

Inside, Kia's designers went for a more distinct and rugged look leaving the bare essentials - even the windows are rolled down manually. The non-floor-mounted cantilevered seats can be folded flat if needed while Kia also added storage compartments below each of the rear seats. Furthermore, in addition to the cargo area, dual storage compartments also can be found in the rear and underneath the cargo hold area.

If it were to produced -and we can't find a reason why it shouldn't- the Soulster would be available the same powertrain options as its conventional 5-door sibling: a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, which produces approximately 120 HP and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine available with either the five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, producing approximately 140 HP.

Kia Soulster Concept Photo Leaked Ahead of Detroit Show

The first official photo Kia's Soulster concept car was unofficially published on the internet today. Based on the just released Kia Soul, the three-door, four seater with the large rollbars and chopped rooftop looks pretty neat blending elements from convertibles and pickup trucks. There's no word on the powertrain choices, but we gather the Soulster will most likely be equipped with one of the 4-cylinder engines found in the Soul. Kia's new concept study will make its official debut at the 2009 Detroit Show this weekend.

Via: Automarket

2009 Kia Soul Priced from $13,300 in the U.S.

Kia today announced official pricing for its all-new Soul 'urban crossover'. The Soul will be available in four trims: Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport. Apart from the entry-level Soul that's equipped with a 120HP 1.6-liter engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, the other three versions are offered with a 140HP 2.0-liter engine that can be hooked up to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Prices range from $13,300 -or $13,995 with the $695 freight charge included- for the Soul 1.6L to a little under $19,000 for the Soul Sport with all the boxes ticked.

More specifically, the Soul+ 2.0L, which includes standard keyless entry remote, solar glass and 16-inch alloy wheels, will start at $14,950 and top out at $17,100 when options including the Audio Package and power moonroof are included.

The Soul! 2.0L that adds the power moonroof, fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels will be priced beginning at $16,950 and peak at $17,900 with all available options included. As for the range-topping Soul Sport 2.0L, it includes side sills, a rear spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels and unique front and rear fascias, and will start at $16,950 and end at $18,600 with all available options included.

2010 Kia Soul Mini-MPV Scooped Inside and Out

First of all, allow us to say that it is not at all certain that Kia's new mini MPV model will use the Soul name. However, the car which bears the codename YN, does share the same platform with the new Kia Soul as well as with the Hyundai i20. Set to take the fight to the Opel Meriva, Nissan Note and Honda Jazz when it's launched at the end of 2009, Kia's new little MPV will offer more space and practicality than its faux-crossover Soul sibling.

The prototype model's heavy camouflage does not allow us to see any exterior details other than the large panoramic roof, but it is apparent that Kia's mini MPV will be less flashy and funky than the Soul. Inside, as is evident from the scoop photos, the mini MPV uses the same three-gauge instrument panel and three-spoke steering wheel as the Soul, though the center console has been completely redesigned. Buyers should expect to find lots of clever folding seats and plenty of storage compartments.

Powertrain options will include 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines, both producing an output of 126HP, while some markets will also get a 115HP 1.6-liter diesel and a 142HP 2.0-liter gasoline engine.

The new mini-MPV will be manufactured by Kia's sister brand Hyundai at the company's new factory at Nosovice in the Czech Republic, although Korean versions are likely to be built in Korea. Production of Hyundai's version of the mini-MPV, which will replace the Matrix, will start in the Czech factory in 2010.

Expect to see Kia's little minivan making its global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009.

Kia to Unveil Soul Based Concept in Detroit

Having already shown the production version of the 2010 Soul, Kia is now preparing to reveal a new concept variant of its so-called "urban crossover passenger car" at the forthcoming 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The teaser shot leaves a lot to the imagination but judging from the placement of the B-column, we'd say that the Korean automaker is most probably readying a three-door hatchback variant of the Soul. Though less likely, there is a possibility that the concept car might be a 'light' pick-up truck version of the crossover. Either way, we'll have to wait for the Detroit show to find out.