Set to debut at the 2016 Paris Auto Show before it will go on sale across Europe by the end of the year, the facelifted Kia Soul is here and it comes with a new petrol engine.

Powered by the 1.6-liter T-GDI, which comes straight from the Cee’d GT and Pro_Cee’d GT, it becomes the most powerful Soul ever engineered by the South Korean brand with 201 HP that are directed to the front wheels through a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

From 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h), it needs 7.5 seconds and it can go up to 122 mph (196 km/h). Stopping power comes from larger brakes and drivers can choose between Normal, Eco, and Sport modes.

Making sure that this version of the Soul stands out are a series of exterior modifications, such as the red highlights on the bolder front bumper and side sills, tweaked grille, twin exhaust pipes at the rear and 18-inch aluminum wheels, with a 10-spoke design.

The appealing design continues inside, where the most powerful Soul carries a distinctive color scheme, with black and cloth leather upholstery and orange stitching, orange-painted gearstick, orange highlights and a ‘D-shaped’ steering wheel.

As for the rest of the 2017 Kia Soul range, this benefits from a series of upgrades too, which include the different bumpers, metallic skid plate, optional bi-function HID headlights with LED DRLs integrated into the front bumper, updated ‘tiger-nose’ grille, redesigned taillights and reflectors.

Gloss black, metallic highlights and switchgear are found inside, along with the HMI (human-machine interface) that works with a 5-, 7- or 8-inch color touchscreen to provide smartphone-style control over the audio-visual navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The vehicle also features a rearview camera, new USB port in the rear, 8-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat, and rain-sensing wipers, while dual-clutch gearbox-equipped models have the Drive Mode Selector. Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert has been added for the first time to assist drivers on motorways and during parking maneuvers.

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