Added on December 9, 2013  The News Wheel   ,
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Kia’s “Red Zone” Edition Soul: Excellent Choice for People, Hamsters

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Kia's "Red Zone" Edition Soul

Kia’s “Red Zone” Edition Soul

The Kia Soul has been a fan- and hamster-favorite since it entered the market a few years back, but what is the automaker doing to ensure the 2014 model is on par with its predecessors? (No, Kia is not making the seat stuffing out of woodchips. Sorry to disappoint once again, hamsters of the world.) While Kia has updated the tech and performance features and has tweaked that funky design, what we’re most excited about is the all-new “Red Zone” Edition Soul, which will go on sale in early 2014.

But what exactly is the “Red Zone” Edition Soul? Good question, keep ‘em coming. According to Michael Sprague, the executive vice president of marketing and communications at Kia Motors America, “The Soul has always appealed to those who choose to express their individuality through their vehicle, and special editions have been a part of the lineup since the first-generation Soul went on sale in 2009. The Red Zone Soul underscores that independent spirit and brings to life many styling features from our wild Track’ster concept.”

Related: Kia Soul Named the 2014 Reddot Design Award Winner

The Track’ster concept that Sprague is speaking of might ring a bell. At the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, Kia unveiled the critically acclaimed Track’ster concept to our delight. This concept was an all-wheel drive model that laid down 250 horsepower generated by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Having a production model Soul modeled off this concept is a dream come true for humankind and hamsterkind alike.

Adorned with white exterior paint and a most aggressive body kit with red accents throughout, the “Red Zone” Edition Soul bears 18-inch alloy wheels and sports a 2.0-liter gasoline direct injected four cylinder engine that doesn’t quite reach the stunning horsepower of our beloved concept but still performs quite nicely, rated at 164 horsepower. The powertrain is complete with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Inside the “Red Zone” Edition Soul, the black cloth seats feature signature red stitching. The interior also features a leather steering wheel, sport pedals, black carpeted floor mats with red piping, and a black-leather dash hood with (you guessed it) red stitching. Completing the red theme are the air vent ring, clash speakers, shift knob ring, and console tray trim, all of which have been dipped in that beloved red paint. (We’re beginning to understand where that “Red Zone” name came from…)

If you want to be caught red-handed with this bad boy, however, you’ll have some stiff competition. Only 2,000 models will be made available.