Kia Soul EV chance for Australia
Kia’s all-new Soul EV is under consideration for Australia, where it is increasingly likely to be the only version of the stillboxy new-generation small wagon to make it Down Under this time around.
Unveiled alongside conventional petrol-powered variants at the Los Angeles Motor Show last week, the electric-powered Soul shares its 150kw-395nm motor and 64kwh battery with the more upmarket eniro electric SUV that made its North American debut at the same show after being wheeled out at the recent Paris expo.
The e-niro has already been con¿UPHG IRU $XVWUDOLD
Kia hopes to have it in showrooms LQ WKH IRXUWK TXDUWHU RI DV LWV ¿UVW HOHFWUL¿HG YHKLFOH
The electric Soul is less certain, but could be an option, sitting below the Niro in the Kia EV pecking order.
Goauto understands that Kia Motors Australia, KMAU, has not committed to the new third-generation Soul in any form, and with sales of the current model struggling to make 30 units a month, it is not rushing to sign up.
The electric version, however, is still a chance as one of three EV models promised by KMAU executives.
:LWK WKH H 1LUR FRQ¿UPHG DQG WKH Soul EV a possibility, the third EV is expected to be an SUV larger than Niro.
Although the American media speculated the electric version of the Soul would get the smaller of the e-niro’s two batteries, the 34kwh unit, the Soul EV turned up at Los Angeles with the full-bore 64kwh pack and same 150kw motor.
Made from advanced lithium-ion polymer, the battery is liquid cooled and comes with a fast-charge capabilLW\ WKDW .LD FODLPV FDQ ¿OO LW WR SHU cent in 75 minutes. On a conventional 240-volt home charger, a full charge takes 9.5 hours. The 64kwh e-niro VXSSRVHGO\ FRYHUV NP RQ D IXOO charge, and even more on Europe’s WLPT test cycle.
The Soul EV gets some unique stylLQJ ÀDLU WR VHW LW DSDUW IURP WKH ODWHVW conventional Soul variants that, in the United States, will be powered by a choice of normally aspirated 2.0-litre or 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engines. For starters, it gets different front styling with a blanked-out grille and LED headlights that form a light bar ‘brow’ the full width of the vehicle.
Front and rear bumpers are unique to the EV, along with special alloy wheels.
This new Soul is 56mm longer than before, at 4196mm, which makes it about 300mm shorter than the 4400mm Niro.
The Soul’s wheelbase has been stretched 30mm to create an extra 140 litres of cargo space accessed by a wider and lower tailgate.
In the US, the Soul is aimed primarily at young drivers and this is evident in the latest generation’s mood lighting that Kia says has been ‘turned up to 11’ with selectable ambiences that include Hey, Yo, Party Time, Romance and Midnight City.
Made for the world in South Korean, the Soul – including the EV – is expected to go on sale in North America LQ WKH ¿UVW KDOI RI
Australia, iif the Soul EV arrives, LW ZLOO SUREDEO\ EH LQ WKH ¿UVW KDOI RI 2020.