Kia has announced that the Soul EV will make its European bow at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, which starts next week.
This new version of the Soul joins the hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains available to the third generation of the crossover, which was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year.
The South Korean brand will offer the model with two battery options – 39.2 kWh and 64 kWh – which power the 201bhp electric motor. The larger battery pack offers up to 280 miles of range on a single charge. The smaller battery pack allows the EV to go 172 miles between charges.
With the motor also developing 395Nm of instantly available torque the Soul EV can go from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds.
To help recuperate energy, Kia has fitted the EV with a regenerative braking system, a single pedal driving mode that controls the acceleration and braking at the same time, and a heat pump system that harvests heat from the car’s coolant system.
The overall design of the Soul hasn’t changed much since its first generation, but this new iteration is more refined than ever – with the LED headlights integrated into the upper brow that extends across the front end and a solid front grille for improved aerodynamics. 17-inch five-spoke alloys are also fitted as standard.
European customers will be able to spec an SUV pack, which adds bolder bodywork elements.
See Available KIA Soul deals
Inside, the Soul EV comes with a series of single- and dual-tone colour schemes, while optional equipment includes a wireless charging pad, heated and ventilated front seats, a harman/kardon sound system, a head-up display and the Sound Mood lighting system, which pulses to the beat of the music playing.
A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen is fitted as standard, shows the nearest charging points, provides live traffic updates and pairs to the mobile app that allows drivers to view vehicle diagnostics, pre-heat the car’s climate control and show car’s battery status.
The model will also come with a series of driver assistance systems, such as forward collision avoidance, blind spot warning, smart cruise control, lane keep assist and driver attention warning.
Prices for the Soul EV are yet to be announced, but Kia says that it will go on sale by the end of March. Full UK specification will be released in due course.
