Geneva '08 Preview: Kia SOUL Burner comes early
by Damon Lavrinc on Feb 29th 2008 at 3:28PM 
The product leakage continues as we're packing our bags for Geneva. This time, Autoweek.nl has released images of the Kia SOUL Burner Concept, one of three concepts that the Korean automaker will be unveiling in southern Switzerland.
The SOUL is obviously taking aim at the Scion xB, which took the two-box design to literal levels. This new image gives us the full-frontal treatment of the new Kia people-mover, with a fascia that mixes sportiness with an upright demeanor. It's not bad, although the pseudo-tribal graphics are so 1996. But the raked windshield and shortened D-pillar make it stand out a bit more than the xB from which it finds inspiration.
[Source: Autoweek.nl via WCF]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Seoultrain 3:40PM (2/29/2008)
impressive. Finally an indication that Kia is serious about being Hyundai's sporty and interesting division.
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Adam 7:12PM (2/29/2008)
Someone put a KIA badge on a Scion xB!
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Chase 3:46PM (2/29/2008)
The treatment is really nice for a show car, but I think the underlying vehicle is relatively uninspired... :( I'm rooting for Kia though!
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Allan 3:51PM (2/29/2008)
I would normally say this is a little late to the party... but given the new generation xB's not-so-boxy approach, this might have some potential for those that would like a compromise between the first and second gen xBs. The first being TOO boxy, and the second being not enough and big and thirsty.
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geo.stewart 4:15PM (2/29/2008)
am I the only one thinking this is more xA/xD than xB?
Allan 5:49PM (2/29/2008)
I definitely see the xD in it... but my guess is they're going after the xB since it seemed to do so much better than the xA/xD.
meshies 3:54PM (2/29/2008)
It looks good but WHAT A RIP.
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AlexP 5:06PM (2/29/2008)
And every modern car is a rip of the Taurus, hurrrrrr.
calebe 4:12PM (2/29/2008)
SSchweeet
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Liam 7:24PM (2/29/2008)
Looks cool. If I'm not mistaken, they had this concept on display at the Canadian International Autoshow in Toronto just two weeks ago.
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Ahmad 4:29PM (2/29/2008)
I wish the roof was a little lower to give it a nice chopped look. Can't wait to see the production version at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
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Torrent 5:21PM (2/29/2008)
The KIA Kee, Pro_ceed, Eco_ceed, Ex_ceed and SOUL Burner is what KIA needs right now in production.
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sdcarnut 6:19PM (2/29/2008)
Did someone say_______
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9587/proceeduu4.jpg
dave 2:01PM (3/01/2008)
Uh, the pro_cee'd is already in production...
The Luigiian 5:27PM (2/29/2008)
I like it. At least when compared to the xB it looks a bit rounded and cute. I also like the lack of overhang in the front and rear. I don't really know why, but it makes the car look a bit smaller. The only thing I don't like are the graphics and maybe the red color highlighting.
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Todd in Sonoma 9:13PM (2/29/2008)
Nice headline.
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Fordman 8:55AM (3/01/2008)
Nice try, looks too much like a Scion rip off though.
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Travis 3:11PM (3/01/2008)
Ya, b/c of course Scion invented the small boxy vehicle... lol.
jsjs 12:35AM (3/02/2008)
And the Scion xB (introduced in 2004), as well as the Honda Element (2003), are a "rip-off" of the Nissan Cube (1998).
And I guess VW's boxy up concept is a "rip-off" as well.
And you people are all blind if you think these models look the same simply b/c they have a boxy shape.
barry warner 9:03PM (3/01/2008)
I looked at this and thought it was a mini concept. Is it only me?
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