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2008 LA Auto Show: Kia reveals next generation Borrego fuel cell vehicle and production Soul(continued)


kia soul (select to view enlarged photo)
Kia Soul Production Model

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Soul production car revealed

Soul has now gone full circle - originally designed in California, the production version is unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show as Kia continues to develop into a design led brand. It will go on sale in the US in March 2009.

The US specification Soul will be available in four trim levels - Soul, Soul+, Soul!, and Soul sport. The range enjoys a host of street-cool features including body colored bumpers, privacy glass, sport-tuned suspension, a rear spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Soul's interior design is decidedly influenced by the car's highly specified audio system - BluetoothR hands-free connectivity, MP3 capability, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, USB and iPod connectivity and a 315-watt sound system with external amplifier, trunk mounted sub-woofer and dash mounted centre speaker will all be available.

Soul will be powered by a pair of gasoline engines in the USA. A punchy 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, mated to a five-speed manual transmission, produces 120 bhp and a 2.0-litre with a five speed manual or four speed auto transmission, offers 140 bhp. Both engines return around 30 mpg.

High levels of safety will feature on Soul as standard with front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). An antilock brake system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), and rear disc brakes are available in the range.

Editors' note: Standard equipment and specifications based on U.S. model and may vary depending on country.

Borrego FCEV vs. Sportage FCEV Technical Specifications


 

Sportage FCEV

New Borrego FCEV


Power supply type

Fuel Cell Stack with lithium ion polymer battery

Fuel Cell Stack with super capacitor


Fuel cell output

80 kW / 

107 hp

115 kW /

 154 hp


Motors

1 x 80 kW

1 x 110 kW


Max speed

150 kph /

 93 mph

160 kph /

 100 mph


0-60 mph

15 seconds

12.8 seconds


Max. range

300 km /

186 miles

685 km /

 426 miles


Economy

20.7 kpl /

 49 mpg

23 kpl /

54 mpg


Hydrogen tank size

152 liters

202 liters 

MORE: Kia Soul Articles and Video

CONTINUED FROM Start of Article

Kia Motors Corporation ( <http://www.kia.com)> www.kia.com) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world's premier automotive brands. More than 1.4 million vehicles a year are produced in 14 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 165 countries. Kia today has over 40,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of almost US$17 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Kia is an official automotive partner of FIFA -- the governing body of the FIFA World Cup -- as well as a EUROTOP partner of UEFA. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.