Kia has shared new information and photos of the European-market specification 2014 Soul in advance of its regional premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September. The additional pictures confirm that the only visible differences with the American-market version of the second generation Soul show in NY earlier this year are only in some trivial details such as the clear-indicators on the headlamps.
Slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model, the new Soul offers improved leg- and shoulder room for both front and rear passengers, as well as a 4 percent increase in luggage space, from 340 liters to 354 liters, not counting the added underfloor storage.
One of the biggest technical changes for the new Soul is the adoption of an all-new platform, based on that of the latest Kia cee’d compact hatch, that brings an upgraded suspension. Kia also notes that the bodyshell is 29 percent stiffer and that interior noise levels are reduced by around three decibels.
In Europe, the new Soul will arrive in the beginning of next year offering buyers a choice of the latest versions of Kia’s 1.6-liter GDi petrol and CRDi diesel engines, as well as six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, with detailed specs to be released in Frankfurt.
Kia said that it will also offer a new optional SUV Styling Pack for the 2014 Soul with piano black front and rear bumper trim, side skirts, wheel arches and a black painted roof.
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