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