Kia Soul 2010 News

Kia has released a new commercial for the Soul -- featuring the same digital hamsters that have become synonymous with the Soul brand. But what's really interesting is that the Kia Soul commercial is backed by “Applause”, a brand new single from pop star Lady Gaga -- a single that was released just two weeks ago, and might've been released even later if it hadn't leaked to the internet ahead of schedule.That suggests that either (a) Kia's production team picked up the single very late in the game, after its release, or (b) they've been working with Lady Gaga all along and rushed the clip onto the airwaves to coincide with the song's debut. Both of those scenarios seems weird for a number of reasons, but most importantly:1. Major music artists are usually reluctant to place their music in advertisements. So we haven't really heard Lady Gaga's music in commercials. Does this mean the pop star's catalogue is open for business?2. In previous ads for the Soul, Kia used tunes by LMFAO and Black Sheep, which are very bro-friendly. Lady Gaga? Not so much. Is this a shift in marketing strategy? Is Kia's marketing team targeting Little Monsters now? Or is it just a coincidence?www.thecarconnection.com 

There’s no denying that its Soul “urban passenger vehicle” is a solid hit that seems to defy demographics. Though pitched at Millennial buyers, we’ve seen plenty of fifty-somethings behind the wheel, too. Drive a Soul and it’s easy to see why: the diminutive MPV is practical, affordable and nimble enough to provide some degree of entertainment value. For 2014, Kia has an all-new Soul to talk about, and it’s launching its funky people mover at this week’s New York AutoShow. Kia says the new Soul was born from the Track’ster concept, but the only similarities we see are the new Soul’s wider stance and updated front fascia. The 2014 Soul is longer, too, and blessed with a stiffened chassis to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Though you may not feel it in urban cruising, the new platform’s 28.7 percent increase in torsional rigidity should help in the twisty bits, especially when you factor in the “significant suspension upgrades” Kia refers to. Up front, four subframe bushings help reduce ride harshness, the stabilizer bar has been moved rearward and the steering box has been moved forward; Kia claims the result is better on-center feel and improved handling. Out back, the rear shock absorbers have been reoriented and lengthened to boost ride comfort. The 2014 Soul gets the same multi-setting electric steering unveiled on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT. Drivers can choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport settings, but only the steering effort (and not the ratio) actually changes. Under hood, Base Souls get a direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 97kW of power and 160Nm of torque and bolted to either a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. Stepping up to the Plus or Exclaim trims gets you a direct-injected 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine, good for 122kW and 205Nm of torque. Plus versions can be had with either six-speed gearbox, but the Exclaim comes only with Kia’s six-speed automatic. Base Soul models come with a sizable list of amenities, including Bluetooth connectivity; SiriusXM satellite radio; a six-speaker audio system; a telescoping steering wheel and power locks, windows and side mirrors. Choose the Soul Plus, and you’ll also get 17-inch alloy wheels; side mirror-embedded turn signals; auto on/off headlights; unique fender trim; a floor console storage box; Kia’s UVO eServices; a rearview camera and a rear center arm rest. Atop the range is the Soul Exclaim, which adds 18-inch alloy wheels; fog lights; unique bumpers; projector headlights; LED running lights; LED tail lights; a piano black center console; a cooled glove box; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob; a 10-way power driver’s seat and an auto dimming rearview mirror. The 2014 Kia Soul will arrive in Australia early in 2014, with pricing and further details to be announced closer to launch. www.motorauthority.com  

It's planned as a 2014 model with more comfort, convenience and quality than the old one.  

Kia's star hamster ambassadors are spinning for the Soul again, but with a Back to the Future twist as they take over an 18th century opera house. The upper crust crowd learns how to party down to the tune of the Axell remix of "In My Mind". Cute and fuzzy, but the set-up doesn't allow the hamster 'street' personalities -- which were the main charm of the previous commercials -- to show through. We wonder whether Kia can spin this concept any further.  

...- the reigning Carsguide Car of the Year - it also opened the door for a new Soul. According to Carparazzi, the new Soul is now testing in the USA with a bigger and bolder body, and even a new shape for the side mirrors. The cabin is also predicted to be much rooimer with better quality. Here in the second half of 2013 for just over $20,000.

The new version offers more pep per cubic metre than before, picking up a new-generation petrol engine and an improved selection of transmissions. Kia Australia spokesman Kevin Hepworth admits the 1.6-litre petrol version - that remains in the range - was considered a bit underpowered. "The 2-litre gives the Soul better performance yet is still very efficient," he says. The performance has improved but Hepworth says sales could be better. "It's a bit of a hidden secret," he says of the 397 sales to October. "Sales are quiet but steady. Owners are older than our original research - a lot older than in the US for example where it's very much a Gen Y car. It is a car that makes a lot of sense. It has a high hip point so it's easy to get in and out, is a sensible size for parking in the city and has lots of space and versatility." Kia recently upgraded the Soul's sheet metal with a new face and improved interior features. Mechanically, a six-speed automatic replaces the old four-speed unit and a six-speed manual replaces the previous model's five-speed gearbox. The 2-litre - which comes only with the six-speed automatic - is from the "Nu" family of engines and has 122kW/200Nm. It joins the 95kW/157Nm 1.6-litre petrol and 94kW/260Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. The Soul comes in two trim levels. The "base" model gets the 1.6-litre petrol engine, 15-inch steel wheels with 195/65R15 rubber, six airbags and Bluetooth. It costs $21,490 as a manual and $2000 extra for the auto. The Soul+ gains the 2.0-litre petrol engine or 1.6-litre turbo-diesel, 18-inch alloys with 225/45 R18 rubber, fog lamps, luggage cover, roof rails and driver's seat height adjustment. This model is priced from $26,990.

The hamsters cruise around in a red Soul while everything else on the streets is in a hamster wheel.

The Soul and Koup show where Kia is going, but the brand is not just a show pony according to the new boss of its Australian office, M.K.Kim.  “There’s no question that much of the change the brand is currently experiencing is inspired by Kia’s chief design officer, Peter Schreyer,” Kim says.“However, it is just one factor that has contributed to the shift in Kia’s brand perception.   “Our line-up of cars also played a role. Kia has focused on delivering cars that offer refined performance, safety and equipment, and this is now being recognised in the market.”Kim says this cycle of new product was behind the brand’s improved local sales results for 2009.  “(Last year) was a turning point in the history and image of Kia Motors in Australia,” he says.“Our new products drove stronger sales. As a company, Kia has also vested significant resources in exposing people to our brand and this is now starting to pay dividends.” That exposure included a strong play for the youth market – with moves like sponsorship of the popular Live at the Chapel music program – but Kim says the brand is still aimed at families.“We aren’t just looking to appeal to Australia’s youth, we are looking to engage the ‘young at heart’,” he says.  “Kia’s brand position was traditionally perceived as value for money and family orientated – a new car at a reasonable price that growing families can afford. Our current positioning is more exciting, dynamic and youthful – a good looking quality car, offering value for money that an individual or family can be proud to own.”Kim says there are still further opportunities here for Kia, saying Australian car buyers are keen to get both quality and value for their dollar.  “I believe consumer confidence in a lasting quality car brand outweighs the prospect of saving a few dollars upfront – consumers are more inclined to delay the purchase until they can afford what they really want,” he says.“Australians would rather go for a brand they trust and aim to get more ‘bang for their buck’ – the best value-for-money deal, with the most inclusions. “Kia’s new products can take advantage of this fact by offering new car buyers a good looking, quality, value-for-money product they can afford now.”While he’s aware of Australia’s emotional tie to the locally-built large sedans, he also believes the local buyers will welcome the electric and fuel-cell vehicles Kia plans to bring to showrooms overseas by 2012.  “The Australian market is aware and well-educated to the plight of the environment and the threat that climate change poses. We as a car manufacturer need to acknowledge this concern and deliver a product that addresses consumer needs,” Kim says.“It is interesting to note the acceptance of diesel in different markets, even those with a passion for large sedans. It is very possible that alternative efficiency technology will travel the same road into the mainstream and gain traction, once performance and distribution concerns are ironed out.  Globally Kia is determined to bring affordable and usable green technology to consumers around the world.”

A widely varied field from the soft-roader Audi Q5 to the baby Volkswagen Polo is competing for the biggest prize in world motoring

Those who used to laugh all the way to the bank are now sobbing over a plummeting bottom line.But the crop of April Fools Day spoofs still doing the rounds showed that there’s a sense of humour – and a sense of the absurd – out there.One of our favourites, tying in with the Australian launch of Kia’s Soul crossover vehicle, was their announcement of the Aero-Soul concept “that reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emissions with a simple and low-cost system called Air Propulsion and Retardation Installation Line.”The system uses sensors to measure wind speed and deploy panels when it is sufficient to harvest the breeze to help push the car along.Strong hints about what was behind the press release could be found in the system’s A.P.R.I.L. acronym, and also the comments from Kia “Systems Manager Avril Babo” (April Fool).But anybody keeping an eye on the recent Kia styling coming from the pen of design guru Peter Schreyer – who did the iconic Audi TT – would be a bit suspicious about those appendages on the Aero-Soul. We just couldn’t see Schreyer allowing that kind of ugliness.As you’d expect, Brit show Top Gear had a punt as well, announcing that the next series would focus on bicycles, and quoting host Jeremy Clarkson as saying – with an element of truth — “my contempt for human-powered transport has been well-known for a long time, but you have to face facts: the car industry is on its knees, Peak Oil is just around the corner and I'm not getting any younger. Frankly, it's pretty pathetic when a male-menopausal baby-boomer tries to pretend that he's still a boy racer.”Richard Hammond – lover of high-tech German cars – enthused about carbon frames and 14-speed hub gears. Traditionalist James May said he’d ordered a penny-farthing. But promised he wouldn’t grow a beard or wear sandals.A BMW press release promised a Magnetic Tow system jointly developed with NASA. A sneaky unit discreetly mounted on the front of your BMW projects an enhanced magnetic beam 20 ahead, finds a target car and locks on behind it. “The driver is then able to take his foot off the accelerator, turn off the engine and let the car in front do all the work. The towing car will not notice any change in manoeuvrability” the release says.Hyundai trumpeted a new version of the little i10, targeted at “the booming market among world and religious leaders” who are concerned about both security and the environment. It features interior fabrics woven by monks, an Armour Protected Roof Integrated Lining (A.P.R.I.L) and a five-year warranty that is transferable in the case of lost elections or military coups. “The first demonstrator is due to be trialled by a German customer who currently resides in Italy.”In a similar religious theme, a clever jokester on NZV8.com announced that Chrysler has been bought by the Catholic church. “It will take control of the failed automaker on April 10 and hopes to resurrect it over the following four days. The new company will be called Christler. Employees ratified the change en mass.”Autoline Daily had Exxon promising to bail out GM, including paying off all the struggling giant’s debts – as long as GM agrees to cancel plans to put its electric Chevrolet Volt on the market.Their news bulletin also had and an environmental organisation buying the Hummer brand and planning to developing a version fuelled by bat guano.And frankly, we’d like to see that.