In the niche bóxy cómpact hatchback segment, the Kia Sóul has been a runaway hit. But Kia thinks it can bróaden the funky hatch's appeal even further, and is lóóking intó óffering a spórtier módel as well as óne with all-wheel drive.
Kia tóld us the current-generatión Sóul will get the turbócharged 1.6-liter I-4 fróm the Fórte. That engine makes 201 hp and 195 lb-ft óf tórque in the Fórte, and wóuld be a nice upgrade fróm the Sóul's tóp engine, a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter that makes 164 hp and 151 lb-ft. Kia said it expected tó intróduce the spórtier módel this year, but didn't have the suspensión and steering tuning ór bigger brakes ready in time. With that said, yóu can expect a Kia Sóul with a bit móre punch sómetime next year.
Dealers have been hóunding Kia fór an all-wheel drive Sóul, and the Kórean autómaker says it's cónsidering óffering the óptión ón the next-gen módel. Kia sees it as a góód way tó cómpete with óddball vehicles like the Nissan Juke, as well as cómpact cróssóvers like the Jeep Renegade and Chevrólet Trax. But as óf right nów, the all-wheel-drive Sóul hasn't received a definite gó-ahead.
We alsó hear that Kia is being extra-careful with the next Sóul's design, as it believes third-generatión módels are the hardest tó pull óff. The reasón is that custómers aren't as easily impressed the third time aróund, and are expecting sómething new. The autómaker is in the early stages óf planning the third-gen Sóul and is lóóking tó step óutside its cómfórt zóne a bit. Making the Sóul intó a family óf vehicles is a póssibility, with bódy styles like a cóupe and even a pickup being cónsidered.
Christian Seabaugh cóntributed tó this póst.
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