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2020 Kia Soul To Be EV-only In Europe

Scheduled to arrive in the latter half of 2019 in Europe, the 2020 Kia Soul will be exclusively electric in this part of the world. According to Autocar, the square-shaped crossover will be offered with the 39.2-kWh battery from the e-Niro and Kona Electric.
2020 Kia Soul EV 16 photos
Photo: CarPix
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The British publication understands that Kia doesn’t plan to source the 64-kWh battery too, which is an interesting decision given the rising demand for mainstream electric vehicles. Pricing wouldn’t be a problem either considering the larger battery is available in both the e-Niro and Kona Electric.

Autocar quotes “a range of around 200 miles as opposed to the 300 miles of the larger sibling,” which is good enough for daily driving in the urban jungle and beyond. With 134 horsepower on tap from the front-mounted electric motor, performance isn’t something to look forward from the Soul EV.

To be unveiled in the last week of November at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Soul enters the third generation with underpinnings borrowed from the Kona and Niro. Codenamed SK3, the subcompact crossover will be available with all-wheel drive. On the subject of engine options, the smallest of the bunch is expected to be the 1.0-liter T-GDI.

Higher up the spectrum, customers will be able to choose between the 1.6-liter T-GDI, 1.6-liter CRDI turbo diesel, and 2.0-liter MPI. In regard to transmission options, Kia has access to a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic with a torque converter, and six- or seven-speed DCT.

Turning our attention back to Europe, Kia reports that hybrid and electric vehicle sales have increased by 42.5 percent so far this year. The Soul EV “is enjoying its best-ever sales year” according to the automaker from South Korea, claiming that 4,936 examples were sold from January to October 2018. That works out to an increase of 29.3 percent.

“Kia’s expanding range of hybrid and electric cars has struck a chord with European buyers, who appreciate the quality, efficiency, and versatility of our electrified car lineup,” declared Emilio Herrera, chief operating officer for Kia Motors Europe.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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