Kia plans to redesign its Soul

Kia is going to make changes in a body style of its renewed Soul, which is planned to be launched next year. All changes should be significant but allow leaving a model in the small car’s segment.
The auto manufacturer has to think how to change a car without losing an interest of potential customers.

The Kia Soul will meet competition with successful models such as Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman and Fiat 500L.
The exterior changes include more smoothed lines, a thinner grille, and a stronger front end and triangular taillights.

The next Soul has the platform that is used in all compact models of Kia – the Kia Forte and Rio. The new Soul gets dimensions, which were changed just a little as compared with the current version. The wheelbase –101.2 inches, the length – 163 inches, the width – 70.9 inches.

The 2014 Kia Soul has gotten two types of engines including a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which will be offered to high-cost packages. The 2.0-liter powertrain is expected to produce the output of 164 horsepower with the torque of 151 lb-ft.

Besides, according to official information of the auto manufacturer, the Kia brand plans to launch the electric version of this model especially for a few car markets in 2014.

The novelty is heavier than its predecessor because of using materials such as ultrahigh strengthen steel, which makes a car more rigid by 29 percent that the 2013 Soul is. The curb weight of the new model is 2,714 pounds that is heavier by 101 pounds that the previous version. Special materials allow reducing vibration and noise.
Inside a car, we may notice an 8-inch touch display with functional infotainment as on smartphones. All software of the 2014 Soul is based on Android.

The interior of the renewed model differs from the previous vehicle due to using other finishing agent not hard plastic.
The Kia Motors America’s executive director of product planning said that the main task of the manufacturer was to keep the successful design that had brought the Soul a popularity but so much refresh a vehicle to attract more potential buyers in the international market. Changing has to touch both the interior and the exterior of the renewed Soul, which allow increasing demand and improve the company’s effective experience.

12.12.2014
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