_{As reported by Kia}

The product that began Kia Motors’ design-led transformation returns to New York with a fresh and updated look, more power, and the same funky demeanour consumers have come to love from the compact crossover. Kia Motors today pulled the cover off the mid-cycle update to its iconic Soul urban passenger vehicle at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). The wildly successful Soul is fine-tuned for 2012 with a significant number of technology and powertrain enhancements with an emphasis on delivering more power and improved fuel efficiency.

Photo: Kia

“The iconic vehicle that began our design-led transformation in early 2009 has been further refined to include the latest technological advancements while maintaining its cool factor of the Soul” said Robert Staffieri, Director of Marketing Kia Canada Inc. “Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology adds even better fuel efficiency and power to this multiple award winning vehicle.”

Since debuting in Spring 2009, Soul has earned a trophy case full of prestigious awards, including earning a 2009, 2010 and 2011 “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), being named a Consumers Digest “Best Buy,” achieving a “Top RecommendedSM Vehicle for 2011” by Edmunds.com, being a recipient of the “Best Family Cars for 2010” designation by Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine, recognized as “Best Hatchback of 2010” by Cars.com and being named to TopSpeed.com's "Top Ten Small Cars For Under $20K."

More Power, Less Fuel
The 2012 Soul will amplify the fun-to-drive factor with significant horsepower and fuel economy increases with new six-speed transmissions and the ability to deliver up to 34 miles per gallon on the highway. A new 1.6-litre Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission produces 135 horsepower (an 11 per cent increase in horsepower from the previous engine) and 121 pound-feet of torque. For those looking for a boost in power, a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available with either the six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The latter engine produces 160 horsepower (a 13 percent increase in horsepower from the previous engine) and 143 pound-feet of torque, and is standard on Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport models. Fuel economy for the 1.6-litre comes in at an impressive 28/34 mpg (city/highway), three miles per gallon more than the previous engine while the 2.0-litre offers a fuel-sipping 27/33 mpg for both the automatic and manual transmissions.

Photo: Kia