Kia has unveiled its second generation Soul at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on an all-new and stiffer platform the Korean firm is promising a more sophisticated, refined and higher quality drive from its 'urban crossover' model.
Exterior
The outgoing Soul could hardly be considered retiring and the new model builds on the original's bold styling - despite sharing no exterior panels. The upright, four-square shape remains, with elements of Kia's Track'ster concept making it through to the Soul production model.
The lower trapezoidal front grille is carried over; so too are the prominent fog lamps pushed to the extremities of the lower bumper. Kia's signature grille features between neat new headlamps, while the rear boot lid gains a new body coloured portion between the upright rear lights and is lower and wider providing better access to the larger boot. The new platform allows marginally increased interior dimensions in the passenger compartment too, the wheelbase growing by 20mm.
Mechanicals
The Soul's new platform is both larger and stiffer than its predecessor, Kia concentrating a lot of effort to improve refinement and driver appeal with better steering response, reduced NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and greater suspension travel and control.
Engine choice will be the latest developments of Kia's 1.6-litre direct injection petrol or turbodiesel units mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Saying all that, Kia Ireland may choose to only offer the diesel units.
Anything else?
Those engines benefit from improvements to economy and emissions too, though Kia will confirm that closer to its Spring 2014 on-sale date. Pricing is anticipated to remain largely the same, though choice will be greater than before. Kia will offer numerous paint finishes (including three contrasting roof colours), eight alloy wheel choices and add-on accessory kits to personalise the Soul. The interior too will offer greater choice and equipment - including ventilated front seats, heated front and rear seats and leather upholstery, as well as reduced noise levels and higher quality materials throughout.