Kia To Unveil The Soul Crossover At The 2018 LA Auto Show

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Kia’s ambitions for the blazing compact SUV segment continues as the company has announced the debut of its second-generation crossover Soul at the upcoming Los Angeles Motor Show this month.

On Tuesday, we were teased with a few photos of the side profile of Soul suggesting that the boxy shape of the current model will be retained. The headlights seem to be much slimmer than before with along with the same roofline ‘floating’ effect due to black A-pillar and a small strip on the C-pillar.

Several images of the cabin have also been revealed by the company which shows the vents and infotainment functions placed in a bubble-like shape on top of the dash. This infotainment system seems like a larger one in the new mode than the outgoing one.

The car was subjected to numerous speculation ahead of its reveal and many of the spy shots that were accessed before, suggested a similar design retaining the current model’s distinctive vertical rear hatch treatment.

Kia has managed to retain the distinctive side profile in spite of the new platform. The car now uses some of the same components, called the GB, as the Hyundai Kona and the Stonic. This will let the Kia Soul house the latest generation of the firm’s engines including the 1.0-litre Kappa and 1.6-litre Gamma petrol engines. We are not sure if the new model would sport a diesel powertrain, focussing on maximum penetration in markets such as the United States.

Kia says the car will offer “zero-emissions electric options”, which could mean different battery capacities – but in a bid to preserve the e-Niro’s status as Kia’s flagship electric car, UK Souls are expected to get a 39kWh battery instead of the larger 64kWh unit that the company has at its disposal.