Kia Unveils Detroit Soul Teaser

South Korean company Kia Motors unveiled a teaser photo of what seems to be a Soul-based model set to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2009. Even though there are only a few details available at this time, it looks like the concept vehicle will be a new addition to Kia's Soul series, but sporting several styling elements that will differentiate it from the stock Soul model.

Kia Soul arrived in North America in November, with the South Korean carmaker releasing the first model at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicle is exclusively manufactured in Southern California and is set to be especially addressed to young buyers.

Kia says the new Soul boasts only high-quality features, starting with the boxy design and ending with the 2.0-liter 140 horsepower engine.

“The Soul is for those who love individuality but don’t like to be categorized by finding the next best thing,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. “Indicative of the new design direction of KMA, Soul is an attractive and customizable vehicle for those looking for something with a little more personality than other vehicles on the market today."

And because we were talking about the new Kia Soul's engines, it's worth mentioning it comes with two possible configurations, namely a 1.6- and a 2.0-liter producing 120 and 140 horsepower, respectively. Standard features include ABS, EBD, ESC plus a bunch of safety equipment such as dual front advanced airbags, front seat active headrests and full-length side curtain airbags.

Kia has also unveiled a hybrid version of the Soul at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, sporting a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and an electric unit connected to an automatic transmission for enhanced fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.