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Kia has released the first official image of the production Soul. And that's pretty much it. The press release accompanying it is several paragraphs of filler that tells you exactly nothing of value, other than that the car keeps "it's" concept forebear's name and will be formally unveiled in October at the Paris Motor Show (which we knew). Kia also says that the Soul "defies classification," which is elaborate automaker code for, "it's a small crossover that's our answer to the Scion xB." Yes, but this is better-looking.
[Source: Kia]
PRESS RELEASE:
Kia bares it's Soul – production car keeps original concept name
Kia Motors has confirmed its all-new segment-busting car will retain the name and spirit of the concept from which it evolved – Soul.
First seen as the SOUL concept car at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, a trio of concept developments then appeared at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show which gave a strong indication to the many characters the new Kia could take on.
Mr Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO, International Business Division, Kia Motors Corporation, said; 'Reaction from the media and public to the three SOUL concept cars seen at the Geneva Show in March and shown subsequently at other international events, has been overwhelmingly positive. This reaction, plus the fact that both physically and emotionally, the SOUL concept cars are so closely related to the new Kia Soul production car, made it a natural choice to retain this evocative name.'
The three Geneva concept cars – SOUL Burner, SOUL Diva and SOUL Searcher – were created by Kia's European design team led by Gregory Guillaume, with input from Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. The original SOUL concept was designed jointly by Kia's Californian and Korean design studios.
Speaking about the choice of name for the original 2006 Detroit concept car, Tom Kearns, Chief Designer of Kia Motors America, said; 'We wanted to inject some life into this car's design, to give it a soul. And the word 'Soul' is a homophone for the home city of Kia Motors headquarters, in Korea, so it is a fun play on words.'
Peter Schreyer added; 'The name SOUL accurately reflects how people will be able to 'express their spirit – their psyche' with this new product. Through a variety of options, accessories and colours, they will be able to personalise their Kia Soul and create a sense of individuality, making their new car a true reflection of their personality.'
Looking to the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Gregory Guillaume said; 'Because the new Kia Soul is not a replacement for an existing vehicle and is destined to play a unique role within the Kia global line-up, it can be a bit of a rebel. The trio of Geneva concepts were 'appetisers' for the new model introduction at Paris, and you can be certain that the new Kia Soul model will retain the core DNA of the three exciting concepts.'
The Kia Soul defies classification and its design will encourage customers to build an emotional bond with this new car. Production of Soul will begin in Korea in September 2008 with UK cars appearing in early 2009. Kia believes Soul will provide a creative platform for buyers to individualise and match their car to their own personality.
The Kia Soul production car will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October this year and is expected to go on sale in the UK in early 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
srivendel @ May 22nd 2008 10:17AM
It's not just "better looking" than the xB. It's a whole helluva lot better looking than the xB. This thing is actually a pretty good looking car. Can't say I have a burning desire to own one, but I wouldn't rule it out.
Kia should focus on simple, somewhat sporty cars like this. Kind of like late 80s/early 90s Hondas. It's a good niche.
geo.stewart @ May 22nd 2008 11:02AM
looks more like a competitor for the xD than the xB...
what am I missing?
black rub strips and handles HAVE to go. cheapens the vehicle to no end. why I have a hard time with saabs and last gen Volvo S40. even the high end have black door handles.
Xcountryflyer @ May 22nd 2008 1:58PM
One of the more interesting looking cars to come out of Kia (Hyundai). I think it looks better than the new xB.
1337 @ May 22nd 2008 6:31PM
A high end last gen S40? Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?
zamafir @ May 22nd 2008 10:19AM
awe, a Korean xerox of the cube, typical, though it'll be funny if it hits the us market before the cube :D.
John @ May 22nd 2008 10:30AM
Wait, Xerox copiers have a "make it not look awkward and ugly" function? SWEET! I am so photo-copying my butt the next time I'm in the office!
On the slightly more serious side...Hopefully this thing has a half way decent output from the engine so that its not moving at speeds generally associated with glaciers like the original xB did. Won't take huge amounts of power to make it reasonable and still get decent returns on MPG's. Now, as long as it lasts 5 years before its time to buy another, it'll be perfect for that under 15k range.
tanooki2003 @ May 22nd 2008 10:33AM
I am very happy to welcome the Kia Soul, especially since Toyota/Scion effed up the gen2 xB by not giving us the JDM bB and instead giving us the current bloated Corolla based fatmobile.
Kia you have a huge market head over Scion now just don't screw this up or put it through the ugly stick beating treatment that most imports and some domestics already have suffered through.
Chris Vitale @ May 22nd 2008 10:33AM
Yuck. The orange rear blinkers? Black bumpstrips on the doors? It looks like a mildly updated 95 Suzuki.
TBlueMax @ May 22nd 2008 10:50AM
Yeah, I would like the design just a little better if the rub strips and door handles were painted along with the fake vent on the fender.
Kotse @ May 22nd 2008 11:10AM
Pictured might be the lower "LX" model sans the colored handles, bumper and door strips...
Hope Kia sells the rumored 140hp 2.0 turbodiesel..along with the already 143hp 2.0 gas engine in use in the Kia Spectra, etc.
Bill @ May 22nd 2008 12:43PM
Most of the rest of the world requires amber turn signals, and this is a Euro spec car....
Personally I prefer separate amber turn signals, and I understand the safety rationale for them.
AltairDusk @ May 22nd 2008 12:48PM
It reminds me of an upside-down stapler...
Kotse @ May 22nd 2008 10:53AM
Here's two more pics of the Soul in "vanilla shake" and silver:
http://www.kia-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/2009-kia-soul-vanilla-shake.jpg
http://www.kia-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/2009-kia-soul-bright-silver.jpg
Gungosa @ May 22nd 2008 11:03AM
I'm going to get one and then sell my Soul on ebay.
iSpec @ May 22nd 2008 11:05AM
Paint that black molding or just get rid of it. This'll be a hit if it gets 30mpg.
ASEVENCFOUR @ May 22nd 2008 11:06AM
American buyers love quirky, as shown by the 1st gen xB
This will sell well, and with a higher build quality than any xB. I don't doubt it with the great build quality already in nearly all Kia's/Hyundai's.
Bob-omb @ May 22nd 2008 11:10AM
I still can't believe we're gonna have to wait another 8 months or so before we can buy one. They've been testing this thing for forever! Hurry up, Kia!
Poopy Head @ May 22nd 2008 11:30PM
I would rather them take their time and keep their quality up versus rushing CRAP to market like Toyota. I.E. Early new gen Tundra and Camary.
I can only hope that this thing gets the Hyundai "Beta II" engine that is in the Spectra and Sportage versus the aluminum 2.0 GEMA engine that can be found in the Dodge Caliber and Mitsubishi Lancer. The Beta engine can be turboed in excess of 300 whp without substantial loss of engine life. It's a Korean 4G63 knock off.
Hyundai and Kia have come a long way and it would be foolish to screw up what they have worked so hard to achieve. My daily drivers are Honda's, but my weekend toy is a turboed 2005 Spectra 5 Hatchback.
300Kid @ May 22nd 2008 11:19AM
I like it. It's different and more modern looking than cars like the CR-V & Rav 4 but probably at a Dodge Caliber price. Maybe they'll offer different "flavors" or lots of customization options like Scion does. I'd totally get one of these over an XB based on the dashboard alone.
Autoblog photo gallery here:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/geneva-2008-kia-soul-concepts-1/678425/
Philip @ May 22nd 2008 11:21AM
Wake up Toyota Scion, give us the Diahatsu Materia and Loaded Corolla
Rumion with 1.8 litre and 7 speed tranny... Its a no brainer...
I like the look of this Kia too...