Kia Motors is ready to join the hybrid club. At the upcoming Paris Auto Show, the company will unveil a near production gasoline-electric version of it’s eagerly awaited Soul crossover.
Gasoline-electric Soul prototype features Kia’s Gamma 1,6L gasoline engine fitted with electric motor, which delivers an output of 20 horsepower and 105Nm of torque. The gasoline-electric engine pack is mated to the CVT transmission (continuously variable transmission) and returns an average fuel consumption of 4,9L/100km (48MPG US) and carbon dioxide emissions of just 117 g/km. Compared to the standard Soul model, CO2 emissions were reduced by 26%.
Kia Soul hybrid is equipped with an innovative Idle-Stop-Go (ISG) system that automatically switches the engine off -when the car is stopped in a heavy traffic- and on again when the traffic moves. According to Kia, the ISG system cuts emissions and fuel consumption by up to 15 percent! The Soul hybrid also employs regenerative braking to charge it’s battery pack.
Exclusively for it’s Paris world premiere, the Soul hybrid concept will come complete with panoramic powered folding fabric roof and transparent bonnet and floor, so the new hybrid powertrain and battery pack will be easily viewed by the visitors.
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September 29th, 2008 at 10:47 am
117 g/Km is not very spectacular. Civic Hybrid: 109, Prius: 104, and the new Golf MK VI will be made available with a1.6 TDI that has 99!!!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I know but maybe they will get the production soul hybrid to perform better.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I think thats brown interiors
September 29th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
It’s about damn time Kia got with the program! Finally they are getting some premium and interesting features! I was really getting sick of the same boring options!
September 30th, 2008 at 2:12 am
I think if the current state of fuel is real, then HKAG should invest on long term alternatives such as hydrogen and other alternative fuels than this. However, I am glad that they developed a CVT, ISG and a regenerative braking system…
October 1st, 2008 at 9:25 am
the CVt isnt new. it is probably the one used in the rio hybrid.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:53 pm
yeah well at least hyundai is developing 8 speed automatics and new engines with DI amongst other things… better short term fixes IMO…
October 1st, 2008 at 3:11 pm
and soul hasnt even got a 6 speed auto… anyway, hope the cvt is good.
October 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Well, good news to see this. Yep, the regenerative braking and the CVT and the gas/electric hybrid all sounds good. I wonder how soon people in the U.S. could get a hybrid Kia Soul. No announcement on production probably yet for hybrid Soul. The view of the drivetrain isn’t really required viewing, but nice for the auto show patrons, yes.
October 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm
isnt the paris auto show tomorrow? Oh I cant wait!!!!!!! It IS tomorrow right?
October 1st, 2008 at 8:47 pm
IIRC it’s tomorrow, Oct.2, 2008, Boris!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I want one, I want one!
October 7th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Dave, I have to agree, if Kia brought a hybrid Soul to market in the U.S, I would really have to perk my ears up and bulge my eyes out. Man, that would be a great way to outfit yourself to get through this stupid overpriced gasoline crisis. And the loss of availabe gasoline to those of us U.S. consumers. With one of these you would get 48mpg. And you’d have a unique vehicle, built to last, with a great Warranty to boot! What are we missing here? =:)
October 7th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I fully support seeing an ISG vehicle in the USA soon. That would be an awesome way that Kia could get some more followers, who actually see Kia not through some sorry ass who is hypnotized by “vanilla ice cream”, putting down Kia on the internet, and then people go to these sites, look at their stupid comments, and decide not to buy the Kia! That just really pisses me off! As for gas prices, gas is steadily dropping here. It was $4.19 a week ago, and now we are at $3.43. Is this trend going to stick?
October 7th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
It should stick, Greg. Contrary to what these people over-pricing the gas say, there is no reason for ghastly to be above $3.00/gal at all right now. How about some relief for Americans who are stuck with losing their jobs and their homes? I don’t suppose a leader of a country could step in and intervene, huh? Specially not GW, he’s all about making more money off of the people through oil. As far as stupid internet comments go, yeah, Kia has received more BS comments on the net than any other carmaker. And Kia builds a superior car, and doesn’t overcharge people for them, either. Tell ya what, Greg, there are more morons than you can shake a stick at in the U.S. They are truly trying to save Chrysler, GM and Ford by being blindly patriotic. Why do that? Do you really think those Big 2 1/2 guys are worth saving? Sheesh!