Unlike Geneva, where concept cars prevail, the New York International Auto Show in midtown Manhattan primarily showcases production vehicles. And Kia stunned attendees with a concept version of its next big production, a highly-anticipated vehicle code-named the Soul.
A collaborative effort between Kia’s design studios in California and Korea, the Soul concept is all about flexibility, function, and utility. The exterior combines urban style with SUV toughness, its aggressive stance complemented by a wrap-around windshield, muscular wheel flares, unique front headlamps, and a sloped roofline. Atop the sloped roofline is a panoramic glass roof, allowing for open-air driving with unobstructed views.
Access to the interior is equally open. While the Soul concept’s rigid side panel was designed with safety in mind, it is strong enough to allow “freestyle” passenger doors that, when opened, reveal the lack of a center pillar. Instead of a typical dome light there are lighting elements surrounding the panoramic glass roof. The same lighting technique is used in the door trim. High taillight placement lends to a contemporary look but also to better visibility and safety for occupants. A rear brush guard smoothly surrounds the license plate underneath a power lift gate activated by the key fob. And the rear lift gate includes a unique backpack compartment that can be configured to accommodate an individual’s active lifestyle needs; it folds out like a mail slot for wet or muddy items such as a wetsuit and hiking shoes, or even a skateboard.
The Soul concept’s dash was inspired by high-quality audio, designed around the front audio speakers rather than the other way around. At the heart of this multimedia entertainment system is a notebook computer with a video game monitor housed in the glove compartment area. The multimedia system incorporates Bluetooth® and MP3 technology, as well as multiple USB ports and Wi-Fi reception. Video monitors fold up and out airline-style from the center console, which runs the length of the cabin. The front-drive Soul concept is powered by a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability and adaptive cruise control.
A production version of the Soul concept is due to arrive on U.S. streets in late 2008. While the final name has yet to be determined, you can check on the Kia.com concept vehicles section for the latest available info.
