The 2014 Kia Soul and accompanying tuxedo-clad hamsters
“Hip,” “urban,” “trendy,” “efficient,” “boxy,” and “hamster-approved” are all adjectives that have been associated with the Kia Soul. “Powerful” is not.
The current 2014 model comes with a choice of either a 1.6-liter or 2-liter engine, each of which produces 130- or 164-horsepower respectively. It’s also available in only front-wheel-drive.
But MotorTrend is reporting that next year’s Kia Soul will be getting the Kia Forte’s turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, which boasts 201 ponies and 195 lb-ft of torque. If true, that would be an increase of 37 horsepower and 44 lb-ft of torque. Next year’s Soul will reportedly also feature an upgraded suspension and bigger brakes.
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MotorTrend also states that Kia is considering making all-wheel-drive available in the next-generation Soul.
Kia’s plan is to offer an overall “sportier” Soul, and it’s putting a lot of deliberate thought into the new model’s design. The Korean automaker believes that a third-generation car is the hardest to pull off, and it doesn’t want its second sequel to play it too safe or go off the rails.
There is also a possibility of turning the Soul into a family of vehicles that would include a coupe and even a pickup truck option (personally, we’re praying we will one day see Kia’s take on one of those heavy duty commercials, but with a hamster playing the role of the grizzled rancher).
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Apparently Kia had originally planned to debut the sportier Soul this year, but delays are pushing them back to next year.
News Source: MotorTrend
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