Kia Soul EV Heading to US Dealerships in 2014
Kia has officially announced that its all-electric Soul will be available in the U.S. starting next year.
The Kia Soul EV will be the Korean automaker’s first all-electric, zero-emissions vehicle available outside of Korea and will have a target range of over 120 miles. The electric motor will boast 109 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque, making it more than capable for city and highway daily commutes.
SEE ALSO: Kia Soul EV Might Not be a Compliance Car After All
Equipped with a high-capacity 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, the Kia Soul EV will make charging easy by simply plugging it into any standard electrical outlet. Recharging times are up to five hours with a standard 240-volt outlet while a fast charge is available in 25 minutes with 100 kW output. The electric motor will send its power to the front wheels through a single speed constant gear reduction unit, allowing the Soul EV to accelerate to 62 mph in less than 12 seconds and will have a top speed of around 90 mph.
Once it goes on sale, the Soul EV will be offered with projection-type headlights, LED positioning lamps, LED rear combination lamps and aerodynamic 16-inch wheels. Styling wise, expect the Kia Soul EV to be similar to the current 2014 Kia Soul.
“The new Soul EV will be at the forefront of Kia’s ‘Clean Mobility’ program, which aims to provide environmentally-friendly vehicles to our customers around the world, when it goes on sale globally next year,” said Kia Motors America’s executive director of product planning, Orth Hedrick.
GALLERY: Kia Soul EV
GALLERY: Kia Soul EV Spy Photos
Discuss this story at our Kia Soul forum.
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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