The Soul has proved to be a major sales success for Kia, especially in the U.S. where it’s the South Korean automaker’s second bestselling model with 73,698 deliveries in the first seven months of the year (up 13.2 % from the same period in 2011), trailing only the Optima, which sold 86,475 cars.
One of the Soul’s main selling points is its boxy looks, and that’s a recipe Kia is not willing to change as proved by these fresh spy shots of the next generation of the compact model.
These images suggest that while the new Soul likely rides on a slightly longer wheelbase and has grown in length, the basic shape and styling characteristics of the urban crossover remain unchanged.
Some things that stand out on this prototype is the re-sculptured profile and the updated front and rear ends that appear to borrow certain design cues from the Track’ster Concept shown at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year.
More dramatic styling changes are expected inside with one close up image showing the redesigned center console with the top mounted air vents.
Being that the South Korean carmaker fitted the facelifted Soul with a new pair of gasoline engines featuring gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology and coupled to new six-speed transmissions just last year, we expect that both the 138hp 1.6-liter and 164hp 2.0-liter to find their way in the new model.
In Europe and other select markets, Kia will also offer a 126hp 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine.
We have also heard that Kia is mulling to expand the Soul’s range with at least two versions including a sportier three-door hatchback that may be offered with a turbocharged gasoline engine (think the Veloster’s 201hp 1.6-liter force-fed four) and on open top, two-door pickup truck variant, much in the likes of the Soul’ster concept.
We don’t have a specific timeframe for the presentation of the regular, five-door Soul, but looking at how complete the prototype is, we wouldn’t be surprised if Kia showed the car at a major international auto show during the first half of 2013.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoop
VIDEO
