2012 Model Year Kia Soul
The Kia Soul has seen a complete refresh for the 2012 model year. Performance and lowered fuel consumption comes from new or revised 1.6 litre engines as well as the introduction of a six speed gearbox.
The revised Kia Soul, on sale now, is available as Soul 1 and Soul 2 as well as two 'Soul Originals' special versions with unique styling and trim, the Hunter and Quantum.
The Kia Soul features a high bonnet wit rounded forms, flared wheel arches and a wide track. For 2012, the Soul benefits from a more sportier exterior, including revised grilles, lights, front bodywork and wheels. A new bumper with a wider lower air intake is used to alter the proportions of the car, giving it a wider stance.
The Kia Soul 1 now features body-coloured door handles and mirrors and a top-tinted windscreen. The Soul 2 sees new front foglight surrounds, 16 inch alloy wheels and folding electric door mirrors complete with indicator repeaters. All versions are 15mm longer than before to accommodate the new powertrains under the bonnet, whilst remain 4.12 metres long.
The interior benefits from a totally redesigned centre fascia, centre console and gearshifter to improve usability and enhance quality. The Kia Soul 2 sees the addition of a new luminous 'Soul Shine' cloth. For the Kia Soul Hunter, the interior is trimmed in black or beige. The Kia Soul Quantum is trimmed in black leather.
The Kia Soul is powered by two 1.6 litre engines – a new direct-injection (GDi) petrol unit developing 138bhp – up 14bhp on the previous 1.6-litre – and a modified 126bhp turbodiesel (CRDi). The five speed transmission is replaced with a six speed manual gearbox, the CRDi engine can be specified with a six speed automatic.
The diesel manual reaches 60mph from standstill in 10.3 seconds, with achieving 3mpg more, at 57.6mpg. CO2 emissions are down by 8g/km to 129g/km, meaning owners are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in the first year.
Enhanced safety features of the 2012 Kia Soul include Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC). VSM uses the ESC sensors to detect when one side of the car is traversing a more slippery surface than the other, such as on ice, water or wet leaves. It will intervene to stabilise the car. HAC will hold the Soul on its brakes when pulling off on inclines until the driver touches the accelerator pedal preventing the car from rolling backwards.
The Kia Soul Originals now include metallic paint, LED daytime running lights, an uprated eight-speaker stereo system with external amplifier and boot-mounted subwoofer, heated door mirrors and privacy glass to the rear windows and tailgate. Cruise control is standard on automatic versions and will be available for manual versions at the end of 2011.
The Kia Soul Hunter adds 18 inch wheels, an electrically operated sunroof and a colour reversing camera, displaying inside the rear view mirror when reverse is engaged. The Hunter is available in Olive Green metallic, with a beige and tartan interior, or Moonlight Blue metallic with black and black tartan upholstery.
The Kia Soul Quantum is only available in Titanium Silver metallic, and features 18 inch black five-spoke alloy wheels, piano black bumper inserts and chrome exterior door handles. The interior benefits from black leather upholstery, heated front seats, climate control and reverse parking sensors.
