Geneva '08 Preview: Kia SOUL burner concept, the Koreans go after Scion
Click the Kia SOUL Burner concept to enlarge
Part of the selling point of Toyota's Scion brand has been offering a very limited number of factory configurations and an almost endless list of customization options. Likewise, Scion ads often highlight the many ways that owners have made their cars unique. Kia now looks like it wants to follow a similar strategy for the production version of the new SOUL compact CUV. At the Geneva show in a couple of weeks, it'll be showing a trio of SOUL concepts that highlight the personalization options for the new car. The first teaser shot of the one Kia calls the SOUL Burner has just been released showing off its matte paint finish, tattoos and fancy wheels.
Gallery: Spy Shots: Kia Soul
[Source: Kia]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tanooki2003 9:48AM (2/19/2008)
I'd say ko for it mostly because Scion's cars lately are starting to become lackluster. Also we can't forget how the Scion xB has bloated into something bigger than the 1st Gen Toyota RAV4. Most buyers liked the 1st Gen xB's unusually odd looks and are unimpressed by the child safe like rounded corners as well as the "we cater to fat people" makeover.
If the Koreans can muster up something that will rattle the department that Toyota has once considered safe territory then definitely they have my full support.
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Gstill 9:59AM (2/19/2008)
Can't they give this a better name? I don't want to sound picky here, but "Kia Soul?" If you say it wrong it sounds like "Key A**-hole."
I just think they might want to rethink that.
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Rocketboy 7:10AM (2/20/2008)
Wow, that's a sharp 1/3d of a side of a car. Scion already pooched it with this last generation of cars, they might as well just be brought back into the parent company, and dropped as a seperate line at this point. But this looks like it could be tres cool.
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Rocketboy 10:11AM (2/19/2008)
Wow, that's a sharp 1/3d of a side of a car. Scion already pooched it with this last generation of cars, they might as well just be brought back into the parent company, and dropped as a seperate line at this point. But this looks like it could be tres cool.
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PJ 10:18AM (2/19/2008)
I'm excited about this car. With the possible exception of the '03 Tiburon, HAG has never succeeded in building a "cool" car. It'd be funny if their first one was a dorky-by-design two-box.
Of course, given that the wheels on this custom job are likely +2 or +3s, I wonder how lost the stockers are going to look in their wheel wells. Hopefully Kia will have the sense to stock aftermarket ones as dealer accessories to please the intended audience.
Also, I hope Kia isn't expecting the Scion crowd to take notice simply because the Soul looks similar. Buying a Scion is an experience different to any other brand, particularly their customization scheme. Plop an xB next to a Rio with balloons on it and a salesman with a loud tie, and watch the "cool" factor disappear.
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Razor1973 10:24AM (2/19/2008)
2 huge thumbs up from me. If this section of the car is any indication of what the rest of it looks like, Kia has a winner in their hands and this is the perfect time to bring such car stateside. I say go for it, Key A**hole! :D
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Gstill 10:32AM (2/19/2008)
I think this car is a winner. Ever since I saw the concept and the spy shots, I thought this is going to be awesome, especially if they price it right.
I just think they should have spent a little longer on naming it.
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MajorGeek 10:50AM (2/19/2008)
Thats the big thing, if you like the blocky look as I do (cadillac, hummer, nitro) then you can not beat the price of the Scion, I think it is about 13k in the states. Great first car for kids, lots of customizing toys available. 4 star crash rating, not too bad.
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lx703 11:21AM (2/19/2008)
Perfect. Can't wait.
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Bob-omb 11:33AM (2/19/2008)
I wish we'd see more of the PRODUCTION model first, since it's out this year. I am super, super excited for this car.
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calebe 11:37AM (2/19/2008)
That is pretty sweet. We have a gen1 xB and plan on keeping it until something like the Nissan Cube comes to the USA. It really depends on the details of this as to if it would work for us. Interior room with a very small exterior, fuel economy and funky looks was our main selling point for our purchase of the xB. We both are very picky on what we like. We both dislike the new xB. I hope the Kia is really well done.
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Matt 1:37PM (2/19/2008)
Hopefully Hyundai/Kia can put a stereo in this thing that ISN'T CHEAP AND BROKEN (I'm looking at you, Scion).
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Eric N. 5:38PM (2/19/2008)
@rocketboy -- i'd have to agree. They dropped the xA and renamed it xD ... I'd say that car looks better than the redesigned xB. Seriously, as an owner of an original body xB (ugly to some, awesome to others), I was appalled when I saw the changes to the xB.
If they made it even boxier, I'd be down to purchase a new model.
Let's see what the Koreans can bring to the market as it may spur Scion off their laurels.
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Dustin 1:02AM (2/20/2008)
+1 for the "kill scion as a brand"
it was such a great idea at first. Offer some unique designs, cater to the young crowd, price them right, promote customization..
unfortunately the brand has stagnated, since the unique design angle has receded while the ad budget has seemingly dried up.
Kia really has a chance here to capture a niche from Scion where Dodge failed (Caliber, Nitro?)
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