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(Thu 02 Oct 08) After much publicity over the last few weeks, Kia has finally given the new Soul its world debut at the Paris Show.
Described as Kia's "most significant-ever model", the Soul was originally an American conception, but it has been developed in both Korea and Europe, and its looks are the responsibility of former Audi designer Peter Schreyer. The Soul looks like a tough SUV but it's actually a regular hatchback, and will be supplied with 1.6-litre petrol and turbo diesel engines, both producing a maximum of 124bhp. Unless the Solar System caves in and the rest of the universe wraps itself round the fourth dimension, we're confident that the diesel will be more expensive than the petrol but more economical and possibly quicker. We're equally sure that there won't be a hybrid version in production, at least for some time to come, but Kia is presenting a hybrid Soul in its Green Zone at Paris. Like the cee'd which has been fitted with the same technology, the hybrid uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine, an electric motor producing the equivalent of 20bhp and automatic transmission.
Also in the Green Zone will be a fuel cell Sportage driven by David Morgan earlier this year - see feature - and a cee'd ISG (pictured). The latter, whose letters stand for Idle Stop&Go, showcases a system for switching off the engine when it's not needed in city traffic. According to Kia, ISG cuts fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 15%, and it will be introduced to petrol-engined production cee'ds early next year. Previous: Nissan Nuvu City Car Next: Low-CO2 Vauxhall Insignia |
