Kia's all-new 2014 Soul looks ready to get frisky

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:28:20 +0000

Words by Gracey Maquiniana | Photos courtesy of Kia Motors Corp.

Remember last year's Track'ster Concept? We'd like to believe that it was Kia's fantasy of what the ultimate track day car should be, built around the Soul's platform. What we didn't know was that the head honchos over at Kia took the concept to heart and used it to build the all-new 2014 Soul. Redesigned from the ground up and now strutting a lovely Inferno Red shade and new 18-inch alloy wheels, Kia's latest sporty compact crossover is definitely something the ladies would love to have. I know I do.

Growing two more doors than the Track'ster Concept, the cutesy boxy all-new Soul is bigger than the model it replaces. The wheelbase is 20 mm longer and overall width is 15 mm wider, thus offering a bit more space indoors. While subtle, the rear hatch opening is then made 61 mm wider so people can now load and unload things easier at the back.

Design-wise, this all-new model was likened by its Chief Designer to a bulldog. But I think it looks more like a purse and would go nicely with my outfit. Sorry boys. Other noteworthy features are the LED front positioning lights, rear LED “halo” lights, and panoramic sunroof that makes this one hottie especially at night.

One big improvement the design team paid particular attention to was to make the all-new Soul's interior feel more upscale. They've covered almost all surfaces with soft-touch materials and fine leather for the seats. Plus, they've played with a “circular theme” in the cabin which is incorporated into the door panels, center console, and gauge clusters. If all that sounds too familiar, that's because MINI uses the same philosophy.

Kia didn't skimp out on the techie stuff either. There's an eight-inch touchscreen Android-based infotainment system on the center console that connects to any smartphone. It can also connect online and function as a GPS navigator. But the best feature of all are the LED-backlit speakers that pulse with the beat which was something we really loved in the old Soul. This instantly turns any parking lot into a party!

This all-new Soul is moved by a 130 hp 1.6L DOHC four-cylinder GDI engine. There's also a more powerful 164 hp 2.0L four-cylinder unit on the list if you want a bit more get up and go. Both are available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Who wouldn't want something this cute to zip around in? Judging by looks alone, I'm sold! Now my only problem is coming up the money to buy one.

Kia's Track’ster concept: The Soul of a sportscar (w/ video)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:22:28 +0000

Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Kia Motors Corp.

Do you love to drive? I mean, do you REALLY love to drive? If so, you’ve probably been to the racetrack quite a few times. A true track-addict should know the pains of trying to fit a crocodile jack, an emergency kit, tools, a helmet, an extra set of wheels, and racetrack-only tires in the back-seat of your sedan. Well, if you want the perfect answer for your trackday blues, Kia has the answer for you: The Track’ster concept.

Debuting at the Chicago International AutoShow, the Track’ster is an all-wheel drive, 250 horsepower three-door hatchback that previews what the upcoming Soul may look like. So a turbocharged two-liter all-wheel drive hatchback is something Subaru has already done, but the difference is in the execution. The Track’ster is based on the Soul, so it has a “subcompact” footprint, as opposed to the “compact” Impreza.

But perhaps “subcompact” is a misnomer here, the Track’ster is a whopping 1.9 meters wide (127mm more than the standard Soul), with an aggressive bulldog stance and wheel-arch extensions wide enough to swallow supercar-sized tires. So naturally, the Track’ster sports some huge wheels, with 245/40R19 tires up front and whopping large 285/35R19 tires out back.

In case this isn’t enough insanity, the back seat goes out in favour of an equipment tray to hold everything needed for a day at the track, helpfully labelled in big decals in case you forget which compartment your gloves are in.

Included in the Track’ster package are such niceties as a suede-covered steering wheel, suede covered deeply-bolstered sports seats, a slick, short-throw six speed manual, and data screens showing information like oil temperature and battery voltage, everything accented in bright Inferno Orange, inside and out.

Are they ever going to produce this car? Probably not. Should they? Hell, yes, huge wheel-arches and all.

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Kia's all-new 2014 Soul looks ready to get frisky

Kia's Track’ster concept: The Soul of a sportscar (w/ video)