Kia bares its Soul

Kia's Soul, which comes to Europe next year, will be unveiled in Paris next month.

The Soul will go on sale in Europe next February with a choice 126 ps diesel and petrol engines based on the DOHC engines already fitted to the European-built Kia Ceed. There will be a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, depending on model. Right-hand drive production starts in March.

The diesel engine generates 126 ps at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 255 Nm at 2,000 rpm.

The all-aluminium petrol engine also produces 126 ps at 6,300 rpm and 156 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm.

Soul is a five-door hatchback with front-wheel drive, a high roofline and an unusually long wheelbase. The key elements behind Soul's striking appearance are its vertical measurements. Overall height is 1,610 mm but the base of the windscreen is 135 mm higher than a typical compact car, the hip-points are 120 mm higher and the ground clearance is raised by 45 mm.

Access to the interior is easy and the cabin will deliver head, leg and shoulder room that matches or beats many larger vehicles. Generous headroom (1,020/1,005 mm front/rear), legroom (1,070/990 mm front/rear) and shoulder room (1,403/1,400 mm front/rear) will ensure Soul can easily adapt to the changing demands of its owner.

Looking ahead to the Paris Show debut, Gregory Guillaume, chief designer, Kia Motors Europe, said: "Soul is about surprise and style and the experience of sitting in the Soul is unique. First impressions will make a big impact.

"Tall doors and high-mounted seats make for easy access and an airy interior, yet the 'laid-back' dashboard design, triple dial instrument cluster and thick-rimmed steering wheel create an unusual combination of spaciousness for passengers and cosiness for the driver generating a very special ambience."

Soul will be manufactured at Kia's Gwangju facility in Korea from November. In the US and several non-European markets a 2-litre, 142 ps petrol engine will also be available.