Detroit Preview: Kia bringing Soul Coupe to Detroit?
Click above to enlarge Kia's Detroit-bound Soul teaser
Just when we thought that we'd seen every possible variation of the Kia Soul that the Korean automaker could whip up, news comes from Kia that one more concept is on its way to the Detroit Auto Show in January. Kia's not talking much about the car, but there is one early picture that's actually quite revealing. Take a good look at the rear profile of the front driver's side door. We think that the new concept could sport a new two-door take on the original boxy Soul theme. Could this be a panel van, like the one that Chevy introduced on its HHR retro-mobile? Could it be a sporty coupe alternative to the funky utilitarian nature of the standard Soul? How about a Soulamino? We have no idea, but it's always fun to speculate. Feel free to do just that in the comments below.
PRESS RELEASE:
KIA UNVEILS NEW SOUL CONCEPT AT NAIAS
Kia Motors will unveil a new take on the Soul at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January.
The all-new concept based on the recently revealed and eagerly anticipated Soul urban crossover passenger car is more than just a re-packaging treatment, as it will demonstrate the flexibility of the original Soul design first shown at the 2006 NAIAS.
Soul is due to go on sale in the UK from March 1 2009. Full range details, specification and prices are yet to be revealed but Soul will be available to UK customers with fuel-efficient 1.6 litre petrol and 1.6 litre diesel engines and with a wide range of personalisation options.
The Kia Motors press conference for the 2009 NAIAS is scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 2:20-2:45 pm.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
samthefro 7:49PM (12/17/2008)
Soul + Coupe = Soupe! I wonder if it will come in tomato red...?
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Kumail 7:49PM (12/17/2008)
mark me interested...
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Kumail 7:55PM (12/17/2008)
just checked out kia.com, they put up a kia soul website, if you are interested, it is:
www.kiasoul.com
styleguy 8:19PM (12/17/2008)
Wow, you stole my comment exactly! :p
Orpheus 8:03PM (12/17/2008)
I know what I would like to see; a sexy little single cab pick-up. Its the one thing that is missing from the market. Young people (especially funky young surfers ;) idolize the Defender for its minute dimensions and heritage. If I could get a funky, tiny, pick-up I totally would!!
Bring on the Kia Soul-Up....or would that be a Kia Soup again??
Oooooh cryptic....
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thomas 4:14AM (12/18/2008)
i was thinking just that.. with all the "compact" pickups moving up in size and fuel efficiency near the top of everyones wish list...... a sub-compact type pickup truck maybe be just the thing to compliment the soul (wagon?) and steal some sales away from those who would otherwise settle for a larger old school pickup truck
P.V. 8:00PM (12/17/2008)
Hopefully it isn't a Scion-Hako-like thing.
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Kumail 8:04PM (12/17/2008)
+1
for everybody out there
mmstowes 8:02PM (12/17/2008)
For the first time in...um...forever, I'm looking forward to seeing a Kia Concept. Admittedly, Satan must be enjoying those popsicles...
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Arthur 8:05PM (12/17/2008)
I liked the 4-door version in person.Would like to see what they do with a coupe. Congrats to Kia.
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samgross144 8:12PM (12/17/2008)
I think it's a panel. Wasn't the previous post about a new small Ford van? With things the way they are, a business would love to have a smaller, cheaper, more-efficient delivery van. Perfect for florists, mechanics, and other service industries.
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Torrent 8:25PM (12/17/2008)
OMFG what if it's a pickup truck. It kinda looks like it. crap...
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prototype 9:41AM (12/18/2008)
I agree. It must be a pickup. Not a coupe.
Torrent 3:28AM (12/18/2008)
Not that it's a bad thing. I just wish that it would have been more aggressive if it is in fact a Truck. The soul is too cute.
room with a moose 8:50PM (12/17/2008)
i'd rather see the koup. om nom nom.
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JF 11:32PM (12/17/2008)
That's funny, somebody put "sporty" and the Kia Soul in the same sentence.
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MJL 12:22AM (12/18/2008)
Why are you guys such cheerleaders for El Camino do-overs? The damn thing was a redneck sled that didn't sell well by the time it was put out of its misery in the late eighties. With unsteady fuel prices and a global recession, what makes you think it's time to bring back something this comically ugly? Sorry for the vitriol, I just don't get the whole El Camino obsession; El Caminos strike me as similar to your crazy hick frat brother from college: Fun up to a point, but you don't want to come home and find him in your garage every day.
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thomas 4:16AM (12/18/2008)
i didnt say el camino...... did one of you say el camino??
what are you talking about?!?!? this is a kia!!! i dont think korea has heard of the el camino. nor do i think the kia soul has the slightest thing to do with it.
sdcarnut 12:59AM (12/18/2008)
AHHH the 3 door and convert, possibilities have already been discussed and shown on other forums...
http://globalmotors.net/rendered-speculation-three-door-and-convertible-variants-of-kia-soul/#more-6515
>
>so lets hope it is an el camino of sorts ...
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Steve 10:19AM (12/18/2008)
KICKS SELF! Keller Kia in Grand Rapids MI got a WHOLE CAR CARRIER full of these last night while I was there - salesman told me they were not for sale, and could not even be driven in the country, because they were Korean DIESEL Soul's! Should have taken massive pics, simply didn't occur. I will be by there again today, maybe I can snag a shot or two . .
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