Kia set to inject Soul into line-up

Kia has a multi-pronged offensive in store for the Paris motor show, with the production version of the funky Soul set to make its world debut alongside Hybrid and 'Idle Stop&Go' versions of the cee'd and the latest generation 100kW Sportage 'Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle'.

The Soul was penned by Peter Schreyer (the bloke who gave us the original Audi TT and Volkswagen New Beetle), and it follows two years after the concept version was unveiled.

It goes on sale internationally in the second quarter of next year, and Kia is targeting 180,000 sales globally, with the US market accounting for 50,000 of these, and Europe accounting for around 30,000 units.

'General' markets, which include Australia, will account for 20,000 Souls, and there will be a dedicated version for the Chinese market that will be produced locally.

Engine choices will comprise a 1.6-litre diesel unit with 93kW, and a petrol unit with the same displacement and power output. The Soul's safety kit quota includes six airbags and ESP (Electronic Stability Program).

The Kia display in Paris will also feature a 'Green Zone' where the Kia cee'd ISG, Soul Hybrid, cee'd Hybrid and Sportage 'Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle' (FCEV) will represent the latest results of the corporation's investment in eco-friendly technologies.

As the name suggests, the ISG (Idle Stp&Go) system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in heavy traffic and on again when traffic moves, cutting fuel consumption and emissions by up to 15 per cent in typical city driving conditions, according to Kia.

The Soul Hybrid features Kia's Gamma 1.6-litre petrol engine, mated to a 15kW, 105Nm AC synchronised electric motor, Kia's own CVT (continuously variable transmission), ISG (Idle Stop&Go) and 'regenerative braking' to re-charge its power pack. 

The prototype is designed to achieve a fuel consumption of 4.0L/100km and a CO2 emissions figure of 117g/km.

Meanwhile, the Kia cee'd Hybrid has been created by Kia R&D to take part in 'real-world' test activities in Europe.  Like the Soul Hybrid, the cee'd uses a petrol-electric powertrain with a 1.6-litre engine and 15kW electric motor. 

The Sportage FCEV is the result of Kia's research into hydrogen fuel cell technology and it features a 100kW fuel cell and a new lithium-ion polymer 152 volt battery pack. Kia boasts of a 300km driving range and the ability to start-up in sub-zero temperatures. 

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