Kia Releases Photos of North American-Bound Soul

Kia is betting a lot on its new Soul compact people mover, and it has good reason to feel bullish. Similar in concept to others

in its segment, like the Honda Element and Scion xB, the Soul is a style leader, with sportier lines than the usual box-like designs, yet it gives up nothing inside.

This is where the Soul truly shines, as it seats five comfortably and offers unique design elements in an otherwise conventionally laid out, easily adaptable cabin. Stylish seating fabrics complement bright, fun exterior colors, while external device connectivity is easily visible and accessible on the center stack, just below a straight-forward HVAC system and high-grade stereo interface.

Now, official photos of the North American-bound Soul have been released, prior to being introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. The metallic green color chosen for the photo shoot is more subdued than for other markets,

although it is expected a full palette will be available wherever the crossover-like car is sold.

The North American Soul will offer more power than the base models of other markets, but with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 142-horsepower it still has fuel efficiency as a top priority. Additionally, a five-speed manual will be standard equipment, with a four-speed automatic optional.

Like Scion, Kia will offer a number of OEM-backed add-ons available at the dealer level so that Soul customers can personalize their vehicles. Items include the usual items, such as aerodynamic body kits and exterior garnishes that Kia calls Soul Essentials, plus roof rails, an exterior cargo box, two different bike carriers, a ski rack, various floor mats, a cargo mat, car net, trailer hitch, sunroof visor, and

many more typical accessory items, as well as some oddities like an SUV-like roof-top basket, like something off of Land Rover Defender, a stylish red and silver engine shroud, a B-pillar applique, and body decals. Performance accessories can be had from the dealer level too, such as anti-sway bars, lowering springs, a cold air intake system, chromed cat back exhaust system, billet aluminum oil cap, aluminum fuel door, a set of aluminum foot pedals, and wheels of course, in silver and black plus red and black designs. The accessories shown are exclusive to Canada, although the US other markets should get similar options.

The Soul is expected to arrive in Kia dealerships across the country in the spring of 2009, with the South Korean brand hoping to attract an entirely new type of customer, in similar fashion to how Toyota widened its reach with Scion.