KIA is hard at work on a facelift for its charming little SUV. The new KIA Soul has been shot in broad daylight for the second time, giving fresh details about the mid-cycle upgrade that is now happening.
It’s been a long time since the KIA Soul with an internal combustion engine was discontinued in Europe, allowing the totally electric counterpart, the KIA e-Soul, to take center stage. However, this compact and charming SUV is still accessible with gasoline engines outside of our boundaries. KIA is devoted to it, as evidenced by the fact that it will ensure its continuance.
KIA is now operating at full capacity in the creation of a facelift for the Soul line. A mid-cycle refresh that will prepare this generation for the remainder of its commercial life. To do this, it will include novel design elements, technology equipment, and a mechanical portion.
Surveillance images of the upcoming KIA Soul 2023
The photo at the top of this post depicts the new Soul’s rear end. Regrettably, the camouflage materializes. Now, you can guess the taillights, which, while they will keep their outward design, will include a new light signature on the production vehicle. Additionally, the two exhaust ports are incorporated into a single trim element, which is reliably triangular in shape.
The KIA Soul will include a new external design, technical features, and a slew of additional innovations.
The KIA Soul 2023 is a more technologically advanced SUV.
If we were to enter the new Soul, we would find ourselves in a more digitized and linked environment. KIA will bolster the nation’s technology resources, particularly in the area of networking. The cabin’s “nerve center” will be a touch screen measuring up to 10.25 inches, which will be used to operate the infotainment system.
There are also likely to be significant advancements in the mechanical section. And it is from South Korea that a new turbocharged gasoline engine will be introduced. And how about the zero-emissions model? Although it has not been observed to date, it is likely to follow the same course and also receive a facelift.
North America is one of the KIA Soul’s primary markets. The revised model is scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2022.
In 2006, Kia launched the Soul as a concept vehicle before launching the model in Germany two years later. In 2014, the second generation was born. Kia’s striking angular form, with its slightly sloping roof and black A- and B-pillars, was not overlooked.
The Kia Soul EV presently has a range of around 200 kilometers, making it uncompetitive. The updated model has the more powerful drive arrangement seen in the upcoming e-Niro, namely a 150 kW / 204 PS and a maximum torque of 395 Nm electric motor coupled to a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium polymer battery.
Kia will not provide any specifics about the lineup until the start of 2019. However, the Koreans claim that the e-Niro has a WLTP range of 485 kilometers. The electric SUV, dubbed e-Soul in the future, should be similarly priced. Additionally, the loading times are uncertain. What is definite is that the electric vehicle will be equipped with a combination charging system (CCS).
In comparison to its predecessor, Kia hopes to enhance driving dynamics with the use of an entirely new rear wheel suspension. Four driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Eco Plus) control not only the engine’s power output but also the degree of recuperation, as well as the heating and air conditioning.
Also, the driver may decide the amount of braking energy recovered by utilizing the shift paddles located behind the steering wheel. Additionally, there are four levels (0 to 3). Additionally, the new Kia e-Soul adjusts its braking behavior in response to the vehicle ahead.
However, Kia has completely redesigned the tiny SUV’s front end. Notable: The new Soul does not include the traditional Kia grille. The headlights have been shrunk significantly, and the daytime running lights and headlight unit have been separated. The Kia designers give the e-Soul complete autonomy when it comes to fog lights and wheels: it only comes with the 17-inch five-spoke design.
The command center is a 10.25-inch touchscreen that supports smartphone connectivity through Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto. Kia couples the whole package with a six-speaker audio system.
The package of assistance systems includes forward collision warning and avoidance systems, lane departure warning and holding assistant, cruise control with stop-and-go function, blind spot monitoring, environment monitoring while reversing out of parking spaces, and a parking beeper with a reversing camera. It remains to be seen, however, if the varied telematics systems will penetrate all markets.
Also, gasoline engines are used in America.
In the United States, the Kia Soul maintains its 1.6-liter turbo in-line four-cylinder engine with 204 horsepower. It connects to a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox through a flange. The basic engine is a two-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine producing 149 horsepower and is mated to either a manual six-speed transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
However, in Europe, the new Soul is only available with an electric powertrain. European buyers will also miss the lime green colorway that debuted with the e-Soul in Los Angeles.
Keyword: New KIA Soul 2023, More Technological SUV Revealed