http://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/01/kia-confirms-soul-ev-headed-us/ Kia confirms Soul EV headed to US, cue the electric hamsters By Noah Joseph Oct 1st 2013 Kia
[image / CarPix http://www.autoblog.com/photos/kia-soul-ev-spy-shots/#photo-142000/ Kia Soul EV ] Kia has been toying with the notion of an electric vehicle for years now. In the two years since the Korean automaker revealed the Ray EV concept, rumors of a battery-powered production vehicle have persisted, evidenced most recently by spy shots showing an electric version of the Soul hatchback this past July. Now Kia has officially announced that the Soul EV is heading for production. Although Kia has yet to reveal official photos or specifications, this is the first confirmation we've received that the Soul EV is indeed headed for a showroom near you. Set to arrive sometime next year, the Soul EV promises to pack an as-yet unspecified arrangement of electric motors and batteries and visual cues that aim to improve the vehicle's aerodynamics and differentiate it from the conventionally powered Soul. We'll have to wait until its debut approaches at an undetermined upcoming auto show in the US for more details, but for now you can delve into the official announcement below and scope out those same spy shots in the gallery above. PR text KIA MOTORS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR FIRST All-ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN THE UNITED STATES Electrified Version of the All-New Soul Urban Passenger Vehicle Scheduled to Arrive in 2014 - Kia's first EV in the U.S. will combine the Soul's funky and iconic design with new styling cues aimed at improving aerodynamics and distinguishing it from non-EV Souls - Soul EV will be powered exclusively by a battery for gas-free driving and zero emissions - Images of the Soul EV will be release closer to launch Minneapolis, Oct. 1, 2013 At the media launch of the all-new 2014 Soul, Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced plans to offer an all-electric version of the company's iconic Soul urban passenger vehicle in select markets in 2014. Already one of KMA's best-selling vehicles, an all-electric variant is a natural extension of the Soul's urban-friendly place in the brand's lineup of award-winning vehicles. More details about the Soul EV's powertrain, range/MPGe, packaging and go-to-market strategy will be announced at an upcoming major U.S. auto show. "Eco-consciousness already comes standard on the all-new Soul with 85-percent of its materials able to be recycled at the end of its lifespan, and the Soul EV will further demonstrate Kia's engineering capabilities as well as our commitment to producing vehicles with reduced environmental footprints," said Orth Hedrick, executive director of product planning, KMA. "The Soul has always been a terrific choice for drivers in urban environments, and the all-new version's blend of technology, refinement, style, improved dynamics and value has allowed us to create a car that is as efficient as it is fun to drive." Kia Motors was recently ranked by Interbrand as one of the "50 Best Global Green Brands," and Soul EV will be the second alternative-fuel Kia vehicle to be offered for sale in the U.S. ... About Kia Motors America http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert. * The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. [© 2013 AOL] http://www.driving.ca/research-car/news/Soul+market/8982016/story.html Kia confirms Soul EV headed stateside Oct 1st 2013 ... for the longest time and Kia has confirmed it today: The Korean automaker will be joining the electric vehicle ranks in the North American market with the 2014 ... http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/10/01/kia-soul-battery-electric-car/2904585/ Kia will make battery-electric version of Soul October 1, 2013 Kia announced today at a drive event for the redesigned 2014 Soul that coming next year will be an all Electrified Version of the boxy city car. The car would be ... For all EVLN posts use: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=413529&query=evln&sort=date Here are today's archive-only EV posts: EVent: AAA Pioneer Valley Plugin QnA Sat 10/5 11a-2p W. Springfield, MA EVLN: eVgo's is not the 1st Combo, CHAdeMO, & J1772 U.S. EVSE Station EVLN: Semi-Autonomous Leaf EVs Permitted to Test on Japan’s roads (videos) EVLN: Ford recalls Focus-Electric & C-Max pih > fix door chime EVLN: 2013 Smart Electric Drive Review sez 'Still Not Worthy' + EVLN: First Leaf Owner Still Enjoys His EV (video) {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-Kia-Soul-EV-headed-to-the-U-S-tp4665562.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
