Shanghai 2009: Kia shows a greener Soul
Kia Soul Hybrid - Click above for a high-res image gallery
At last year's Paris Motor Show, Kia showed off a version of the Soul equipped with a transparent hood and floorpan so show-goers could see the inner-workingings of the Korean automaker's hybrid drivetrain. Based on these photos of what appears to be mostly production-ready Kia Soul Hybrid at the Shanghai Motor Show, it seems the fuel-saver's date with the sales floor is getting ever closer. We wouldn't expect the two-tone paint scheme to make it past the concept stage (thankfully), but the important bits are all likely locked in.
Like the concept from Paris, this Soul Hybrid is equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder mated up with a 15kW electric motor. The dual powerplants send their ponies through a CVT transmission to the front wheels to offer up an estimated 48 miles per gallon and CO2 emissions of just 117 g/km – an improvement of over 26% in both categories.
Gallery: Shanghai 2009:Kia Soul Hybrid
[Source: Autoblog Chinese]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aprime 5:30PM (4/21/2009)
What? This was actually shown in Montréal along with the Lancer hatch.
I should know, I was there. >_>
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Tomac 5:43PM (4/21/2009)
The article didn't say Kia revealed the car at Shanghai, it only says they showed it there.
MKIV 7:00PM (4/21/2009)
The title says "Shanghai 2009: Kia shows a greener Soul"
More like Kia shows a greener rebadged Scion xB. These guys need to get some original design ideas than ripping off every other manufacturer’s designs.
jsjs 9:44PM (4/21/2009)
mkiv -
All you've proved is that you're blind as a bat since the Soul isn't the flat, disinteresting box that the xB is and actually has some good character lines, shape of greenhouse, etc. (as cute-utes go, Toyota/Scion wished the xB looked as good as the Soul).
And if you're going to criticize the Soul for "copying" the boxy-look, then you should be criticizing Scion/Toyota as well since the Honda Element came to the US market a year before the xB and the Nissan Cube predated all in Japan (not that the boxy-look originated in Japan anyways since it first appeared in the US in vans such as the Chevy Astro).
wolverinejoe80 10:34PM (4/21/2009)
mkiv is
1. hater
2. blind
3. both
soul kills XB in cuteness
Kumail 5:37PM (4/21/2009)
I just want to see the Soul coupe.
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HotRodzNKustoms 5:50PM (4/21/2009)
What? A low cost hybrid I might actually want to own? Shocking!
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bakacoriolis 5:52PM (4/21/2009)
Nice, they saran wrapped it when they transported it :D
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Mike 7:43PM (4/21/2009)
i saw a Kia Soul when i went to the bank this morning. it turned my head because i didn't know what it was. it was exactly like the one in the picture - but no transparent parts nor a hybrid.
usually these boxlike cars have no personality - Scion, Element, etc. - the Soul has curves!
not my type of car, but i found it interesting...
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jsjs 9:47PM (4/21/2009)
Anyway, the Soul hybrid has some other fuel saving features such as a CVT tranny, ISG (idle stop & go) and regenerative braking.
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GOT 8:16AM (4/22/2009)
Took a Soul (gasoline) for a test drive the other day and like it. It's quite a nice car and feels solid (a lot better than Toyotas offerings) and peppy. Fluid reservoirs and oil-filter are easy to get to. If it's reliable, it'll be a grand-slam. I want one.
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Rick 11:34AM (4/22/2009)
Coming here? Price?
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