Kia Soul to Offer Choice of Three Engines

16 July 2008

The new Kia Soul, which will be unveiled at the Paris auto show on 2 October, will be marketed globally with a choice of three engines (depending on specific market) when it goes on sale in early 2009.

The Kia Soul.

The most powerful engine will be a 2-liter gasoline unit. A smaller capacity 1.6-liter gasoline engine will be offered in most countries, alongside a 1.6-liter diesel engine featuring a VGT (variable geometry turbocharger). Both the 1.6-liter, four cylinder, 16-valve DOHC power units are based closely on engines fitted to the European-built, Kia cee'd.

Kia has also confirmed that the new model, which will be available exclusively as a five-door hatchback with front-wheel drive, will have an overall length of 4,105 mm, and a 2,550 mm wheelbase. Height will be 1,610 mm and width 1,785 mm—excluding door mirrors.

The new Kia model is scheduled to go on sale in Europe during February 2009, with sales in the USA and remaining overseas markets beginning in April 2009.