The Kia Soul moniker was recently trademarked in India by the South Korean automaker. The Soul is available with both gasoline and electric powertrains across the world. At this time, it is unclear if the company will introduce an ICE or an electric version. The business debuted the Soul electric hatchback at the 2018 Auto Show, just so you know.
The Kia Soul is available with two engines: a 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine with 198 horsepower and a 2.0L normally aspirated petrol engine with 145 horsepower. The turbocharged engine comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the normally aspirated engine comes with a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic transmission.
The hatchback’s electric edition comes with a 64kWh battery and a 204PS/395Nm electric powertrain. It is touted to have a range of 450 kilometres on a single charge. The Soul EV can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 7.6 seconds and reach a max speed of 170 kilometres per hour. Its battery can be completely charged with an AC charger in 9.5 hours and a DC charger in an hour. The Kia Soul EV has four different driving modes: Eco, Eco+, Comfort, and Sport.
With a noticeable lower grille, slim LED headlights with tiny DRLs, 17-inch alloy wheels, and wraparound boomerang-shaped taillamps, the Kia Soul has a towering posture. The premium hatchback’s interior features a dual-tone black and beige motif. The Sould has a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone app connectivity, an 8-inch head-up display, a fully digital instrument console, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, 8-way power front seats, leather upholstery, heated seats, automatic climate control, and other features.
The 4195mm overall length of the global-spec Soul premium hatchback implies it will be subject to the GST levied on larger vehicles (such as Seltos). If it is brought in via a CKD approach, the manufacturer will have a tough time achieving competitive price.