Kia Motors America announced it will unveil a new take on the Soul at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January next year.
The all-new concept based on the recently revealed and eagerly anticipated Soul urban crossover passenger car is more than just a re-packaging treatment, as it will demonstrate the flexibility of the original Soul design first shown at the 2006 NAIAS.
The Kia Motors press conference for the 2009 NAIAS is scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 2:20-2:45 pm.
There are no details and no more Soul concept pics at the moment, but I’ll see if I can find out more about it at my colleagues at KMA! Do you think this could be the three-door Soul or perhaps a small Soul based pick-up truck? How about a four-wheel drive Soul?
Higher resolution image:
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December 18th, 2008 at 5:18 am
This has got to be that coupe like SUV Peter was talking about.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:27 am
But what if it is a pick up? I rather for it to be a pick up before a coupe. There is somthing behind there. I guess I gotta wait until January 11th (gee that seems like a long time). I’m keeping my fingers cross for a pickup Soul.
December 18th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Nice a Soul-up! or a Pick-a-Soul!
December 18th, 2008 at 8:23 am
A Soul-Camino or Soulero (Soul + Ranchero). But I doubt a truck is on the US on the the horizon. Its to hard of a market to break into here in the US.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:08 am
not truck based pick-up. just soul that looks like a pick-up with its back cab cut off. A cube pick-up is avialable in japan and I was hoping that Soul would have a similar option. that would be better than a three door…
December 18th, 2008 at 9:11 am
I’ll adjust the exposure and saturation of the pic and post it on the forums to see if we get a clearer pic.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
4 wheel drive, we hope!!
December 18th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I have lightned the pic and now you can see the new alloys and interestingly shaped door-handle.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Wow, your editing even reveals the tyre manufacturer himi.
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so it is a door handle that thing and goodyear tyres. seeing how long that door is, now there’s a possibility of it being a 3 door which in my opinion is a waste of many to make a concept that just removes two doors of the car. spending money on a pick-up would be more sensible. Already wondering what tranny its got… LOL
December 18th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
But if its a three door with an AWD/4WD drivetrain and upgraded tranny, then I don’t think its waste of money.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Well, this could be the three-door pick up Soul, which will most likely not enter the production. More likely, Kia will use it to show some improved technologies that could soon find their way to serial production.
I was thinking the Soul concept could have an improved 2,0 engine and better automatic transmission. Perhaps a six speed or even a dual-clutch automatic transmission, which Hyundai-Kia has been developing.
What do you think?
December 18th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
it really needs a better tranny and paddle shifter welcome. Theta engine with turbo as well would be good.
did you get my mail himi?
December 18th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
As I can see, it has some kind of lights on the roof, similar to those that pick-ups use.
December 18th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I really think it is a pick-up soul, i have seen pictures of this at KMA design center, same color as what we have here
merry christmas to all and a happy new year
December 18th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
A Pickup Soul would be the greatest addition to the Kia Family.
Now I need to get tickets to Detroit.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Do you think that anyone would really buy a twoseat pick up Soul? I don’t see many people doing that, especially not here in Europe.
December 18th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
What if this pick-up is enlarged, so it has seating for four people and extended “trunk” capacity? So it’s a little larger than Soul…
December 18th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
In our Market (Aruba), we are dealers for Kia and Mazda (because Mazda supplies us with pickup trucks, and we mostly sell single cabin pickups.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
This could end up being like the Subaru Brat, the Chevy ElCamino, the Ford Ranchero, the VW Rabbit pickup, or the soon coming Pontiac ST — they were and are all cars with pickup truck beds in place of the rear seat and trunk. Historically, there was always a market for this type of vehicle, at least here in the US. These types of vehicles have not been available in the US for a long, long time. We’ll see how it goes now, as the Pontiac is supposed to arrive in America I believe in 2009.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I think Australia have a number of them. I had seen one chey one here. but only once. must have been a grey import.
December 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Convertable Soul. Similar to the old Sportage Convertable. Still 4-5 Seater with a collaspable rear with a front and rear seat divider with Fold flat 2nd row seats with a hard backing to use as a semi-pickup when needed. Oh and I would think AWD not 4×4. This would be my guess. It would look freaking awesome
December 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
yeah, AWD would suit it better. the prob with sportage convertible was that the cover had to removed by hand. If the roof could be sectioned and slid along a rail of some sort on the sides, that would make it more attractive. Or for a cloth-roof convertible, the rear of the roof would have to be curved like the murano convertible which might not match the boxy styling.
December 18th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I’m cool with any of the suggestions above, I just hope that they don’t give it the 2.4 that the Forte is getting….that will make me tense.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Now I am glad that I am vacationing from the internet starting on the 11th! I am going to have one helluva surprise! I think it will be a Soul Pickup with the 2.2 diesel. That would be a hot seller.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
If it has a diesel, then it will be the brand new 2,0L with 184hp. 2,2L is destined for Sorento.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Just my opinon but it looksto me with the shape of the door/b pillar angle that this is going to be Kias version of the Subaru Baja. I will aslo do some res edit to the pic to see what i can come up with.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Inside news : Since I read it here about the turbo charged Theta engine. They have been trying to work out the kinks with the twin scroll Turbo GDI for the 2 door coupe Forte but keep breaking crankshafts.
December 18th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
The Beta was good with turbo’s. I mean Is good, [cuz it seems Kia isn't dumping the engine but instead using it in the soul which was supposed to have the theta]
December 18th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Just an FYI: The Soul’s are in all the Michigan dealerships now. Can’t be sold but you can get a good look at the vehicle.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
184HP in a pickup? Albeit a small pick up, but still. .2 isn’t much more of a displacement.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:59 am
There have been rumors of an Soul “van” not unsimilar to renault Kangoo, VW Caddy, Citroen Berlingo in the past…
Could this be it?
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:08 am
I hope not.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Bornloser: Are you talking about that cee’d plus? I hope not too. That’s only supposed to be for Europe think. They can keep that. While other manufactorers show the entire photos of concepts or new models, we have to wait. GM already has photos of the new Equinox but the Sorento is still in the ugly dress. What’s up that?
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:05 am
Kia hates us. That is why. That new Equinox is fugly anyway. The government gives them all that money, and instead of producing a good looking car, they produce ugly shit that no one will want!! What is the point of the “Car czar” if they are letting the companies produce ugly garbage!?
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 am
don’t you think its better if Kia doesn’t reveal concepts waaaay before the actual motorshow unveiling? cuz this will get people more excited about seeing the car. revealing it now will just excite everyone now itself and then seeing the car at the motorshow will feel like, “I’ve seen it a hundred times already… looks cool anyway…”. now I wouldn’t want that
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 am
JTZ, I’m not talking ’bout the “cee’d Plus”… There have always been rumors of a Soul Minvan like the Kangoo, Opel Combo, Fiat Fiorino, Ford Tourneo and to some extend the Skoda Roomster.
These models are getting more & more popular in Europe and this segment is dominated by European brands… They’re not the most sexy vehicules, but reasonably priced, good MPG and CO2 emisions and extremely practical…
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I know what kangoo is. A really goofy looking vehicle. I’d hate to see Kia trying to compete with that thing… especially when people know who Kia’s chief designer is.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
As I said: it’s not the most sexy vehicule (click on my name), but Europeans love the practicality of it!
And if you thought the Kangoo was Goofy… here’s the Citroën Nemo: http://media.nextautos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/citroen-nemo-concettohl.jpg
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
haha, Nemo’s got some spark! I like it. well its probably the colours on it that made me like it but I do like it. Kangoo… well, lets just leave it alone. Alright, I’m convinced. Soul could complement Kia through this segment. but if they make it, they’d be better off selling it in europe like you say.
December 31st, 2008 at 6:41 am
A deal breaker for some of us would be 1500 pound trailer towing capacity.
Diesel would also be great. The two together would permit economical vacationing with good road mileage and a economical car with a difference for home and work.
December 31st, 2008 at 8:43 am
I see that spme don’t want to see a 3 door but to some they are quite practical, Examples are that some of us are a bit handicapped and the extra space used for the door really helps getting in and out, This is specially true with my wife who can’t bend her legs nuch at all and had to slid way over almost in the drivers seat of our outback to get in.
There are quite a few people that this would help.
That being said I for one really like a 3 door better that a 5 door for about everything we use a car for, personally I think they are more practical as most trips are with only one or two people anyway.
And yes I would like to see a diesel also as a old truck company owner I can tell you that usually a diesel will out last a gas engine at least 2 or closer to 3 to one even if only slightly maintained and they for sure get better mileage plus with a TURBO or even a good supercherger for boust they have about the power to weight ratio. But a diesel to be effecient would need at least a 5 speed transmission 6 speed would be better if you learn to keep it in the power band.
I also think that a pickup in this size range would be great as after we sold our trucking company we were in a service business for about 20 yeras and only needed a VERY small pickup that we could put a overhead ladder rack and side boxes or even a small cross body box on but there were none available. The things that are built in the us usually only get about 8 or 9 MPG when used daily in city traffic so it always cost our customers a premium for a service call. Now with fuel prices it would be even worse.
Just some thoughts from themtnman@toast.net
December 31st, 2008 at 10:25 am
—–I see that spme don’t want to see a 3 door but to som……—–
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Its not that we don’t wanna see a 3 door soul. its that we think Kia should just include a 3-door on the outgoing model without wasting money on a 3 door concept first.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:36 am
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