Kia, Lotus Join Forces for Better Handling

Kia is now planning to collaborate with Lotus in order to improve ride and handling for all future models, with the new Soul the first model to get Lotus' personal touch when it comes to the two aforementioned aspects. According to Car Magazine Online, the new alliance will allow the South Korean company to improve models specifically addressed to the United Kingdom market. Kia Soul will come with higher compression, rebound rates plus adapted bump stops “to prevent the car bottoming out on the large potholes,” the aforementioned source added.

Even though Kia didn't say too much about the partnership, a company representative confirmed for Car Magazine Online that all models to be launched in the United Kingdom in the next few years will be developed with the help of Lotus.

“The changes are designed to stop harshness getting into the cabin, while giving improved steering feel on high frequency undulations. They also give the car more poise, and prevent the car using the whole suspension range over bumps,” he said according to the same publication.

Kia first showed the Soul in 2006 at the North American International Auto Show under the form of a concept car. All models are exclusively manufactured by Kia's plant in South Korea for the global market. The newly-launched car is expected to arrive in European dealerships in February this year while the United States market is set to get it in April.

The base North American Soul is powered by a 1.6-liter engine that produces a maximum power of 122 hp. A more powerful version is also available, namely a 2.0-liter engine that develops 142 horsepower and mated to five-speed manual transmission available as standard or an optional four-speed automatic unit.