Seoul swinger

It's official. Kia will be honouring its Korean home town by naming its all-new production model "Soul".

This follows a trend started in early 2006 at the Detroit motor show when Kia introduced the original Soul 4x4 model that was followed at the Geneva show by a phalanx of Souls -- the Soul Burner, Soul Diva and Soul Searcher.

In many ways the production version stays very close to the look-only show ponies.

The only real difference is in the wheels -- grossly oversize when parading for show goers, they've shrunk to something more practical for on-road use. And although suicide rear doors have given way to conventional front-hinged access, the overall shape of the five-door Korean hatch, including the exaggerated taper of the windows and the boldly boxy body, looks very, very close. It is certainly a departure from Kia conventionalism.

The actual position of the Soul in Kia's model lineup is a little unsure. It does not replace an existing model, although it has been suggested Sportage SUV buyers may find appeal in the ruggedly purposeful, slightly quirky looks.

Power is expected to come from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine driving all wheels through a conventional sequential five-speed auto transmission. And it's certain that the 103kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel already used in the Sportage would be a major consideration.

The Soul collection was created by Kia's European design studio, which is headed by Gregory Guillaume under the guidance of design chief Peter Schreyer. It stemmed from the original Detroit car that was penned jointly by Kia's design studios in Korea and California.

The five-door hatch, according to Kia, joins the other Soul vehicles to reveal there's a "fun" side to the company.

Peter Schreyer said the new car aims at enabling buyers to express their individuality: "Through a variety of options, accessories and colours, they will be able to personalize their Kia Soul and create a sense of individuality, making the car a true reflection of their personality."

According to Kia USA design chief Tom Kearns at the 2006 launch of the Detroit car, "We wanted to inject some life into this car's design and give it a soul. And of course 'Soul' also is a homophone for the home city of Kia Motors headquarters in Korea, so it's a fun play on words."

Thoughts echoed by Gregory Guilliame, who said at the announcement of the production Soul that "because it is not a replacement for an existing vehicle and is destined to play a unique role within the Kia global line-up, it can be a bit of a rebel! The trio of Geneva concepts were 'appetisers' for the new model introduction."

The Soul will premiere at the Paris motor show in October this year and, according to Kia Australia's chief operating officer Peter Nochar, is in the company's plans for a local launch as "an antidote to the traditional hatchback".

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