It looks like previous reports about the Kia Soul EV were pretty accurate, as they match the preliminary specs announced by Korean carmaker.
Scheduled to launch during the second half of 2014 in export markets, Kia’s first EV outside Korea will feature an 81.4-kW (109hp) electric motor producing 285 Nm (210 lb-ft) of torque. The motor delivers its power to the front wheels through a single speed constant ratio gear reduction unit.
Thanks to the instantly available torque, the Soul EV will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 12 seconds and will reach a top speed of 145 km/h (90 mph).
The car will feature a high-capacity 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack that will provide a driving range of more than 200 km (124 miles) on a single charge. Recharging times are estimated at up to five hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 240v or 230v household outlet, or 25 minutes on “fast” charge with 100 kW output.
The Soul EV will feature the styling of the second-generation Soul, and the images released by Kia confirm this. Although the prototypes are shown wearing camouflage, the overall shape of the car is the same – which is normal since the Soul EV prototype test cars are built on modified versions of the 2014 Kia Soul. Kia says the production car will feature projection type headlamps, LED positioning lamps, LED rear combination lamps and aerodynamically shaped 16” inch alloy wheels.
On the inside, the Soul EV will feature a unique Supervision instrument cluster and center stack with an eight-inch display screen. The electric vehicle will also be equipped with a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System) that emits an audio alert at speeds below 20 km/h (12 mph) and whenever the car is reversing.
Prototypes are currently being tested at Kia’s Namyang R&D facility in Korea, as well as in Europe and North America, before manufacturing begins in 2014. Kia’s first electric vehicle was the Ray EV, a limited run vehicle launched in 2011 and destined exclusively for South Korean government fleets.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
