The new Kia Soul is now on sale in Spain

Kia has just introduced in the Spanish market the second generation of the Soul. This model was temporarily discontinued in our country in 2013, but this time it has returned loaded with new features in all areas, among which an electric version stands out, being the first Korean vehicle of these characteristics to be marketed in Europe.

We told you about the main novelties of the new Soul when it debuted at the 2013 New York Motor Show and, later, when it was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show that same year. This generation is two centimetres longer than the previous one (it measures 4.14 m) and its wheelbase has also grown by the same amount, to 2.57 m.

The launch range of combustion engines for the Soul in Spain consists of two options: the 1.6 GDi petrol with 132 CV and 161 Nm of maximum torque, and the 1.6 CRDi diesel with 128 CV and 260 Nm of maximum torque. Both are paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox, and with them the Soul can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about eleven seconds.

The top speed with the diesel engine is 180 km/h and with the petrol 185 km/h. Combined-cycle consumption is 6.8 l/100 km for the petrol and 5 l/100 km for the diesel, while CO2 emissions are 158 and 132 g/km, respectively.

At the end of 2014 the Soul EV will be added, which has an electric motor capable of producing 81.4 kW (around 110 CV) and 285 Nm of torque available at all times. With it, the Soul accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in twelve seconds and reaches a top speed of 145 km/h.

It is powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery with a capacity of 27 kWh, which allows it to travel up to 200 kilometres. It takes five hours to charge it to 100% from a standard mains socket, and 25 minutes to reach 80% at a fast-charging point.

The Kia Soul is available in three trim levels called Concept, Drive and Emotion. All of them come as standard with a very complete safety package including ABS + BAS, ESC, six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, hill-start assist, rear-view camera and height-adjustable head restraints.

The Concept comes by default with features such as roof bars, front fog lights, heated electric exterior mirrors, Bluetooth, height-adjustable driver’s seat, multifunction steering wheel, on-board computer, light sensor, air conditioning, cruise control and speed limiter, among others.

The Drive level adds to the above LED technology for the front and rear lights, folding mirrors, tinted glass, a boot net and tray, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, automatic climate control and rear parking sensors.

The top trim, the Emotion, also offers the SUV styling pack, 18″ alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, navigation system, 4.3″ instrument panel, electronic start system and keyless entry. The first two levels can be ordered with either engine, but the Emotion is only sold with the 1.6 CRDi.

The announced prices for the Soul are as follows (they include taxes, the PIVE scrappage plan and the monthly promotion):

• 1.6 GDi Concept = 13,901 euros
• 1.6 GDi Drive = 15,601 euros
• 1.6 CRDi Concept = 15,301 euros
• 1.6 CRDi Drive = 17,001 euros
• 1.6 CRDi Emotion = 20,626 euros

Source | Kia