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2015 Kia Soul EV Debuts in Chicago

Exciting news from Kia land, as the Korean automaker's very first mass market electric vehicle was officially revealed moments ago, where else but in the Wind City, Chicago.
2015 Kia Soul EV 14 photos
Photo: Chris Doane Photography
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We are talking about the Soul EV, a 100% electric version of the crossover they revealed last year. Looking really cool is one of its skills, being green is the other. Starting with the former, we have to admire Kia's design work, especially when looking at the revised fascia to have no intakes.

All Soul EV models will come with two-tone paint, with three color combinations offered initially: Pearl White lower body with Electronic Blue roof, Caribbean Blue lower body with Clear White roof, and Bright Silver with Clear White roof. All will also come with the same 16-inch wheels designed to reduce drag down to a minimum.

So what about the green stuff? The electric hamster car oozes eco ambitions, powered by a 81.4kW (109-hp) electric motor producing 210 lb-ft (284 Nm) of torque. Top speed is only 90 mph (145 km/h) and 0 to 60 mph takes 12 seconds.

That's not really important though. What is important is that a high-capacity 27kWh lithium-ion polymer battery located beneath the Soul's floor gives it a real-world driving range of 80 to100 miles (128-161 km). Charging an empty battery could take a full day if you use a regular socket. However, you can get it to 80% charge "in as little as 33 minutes with a 50-kW-output [CHAdeMo] charger."

Pricing will be announced closer to the car's launch later this year, but we think Kia's eco statement will be accompanied by a reasonable sticker.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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