These are the first shots ever of what’s to become the 2012 Soul SUV. Despite the heavy camouflage, the prototype caught testing in winter conditions by our dedicated team of photographers reveals a great deal about the new model. A set of LED daylights should find their way into production, as are the restyled bumpers, revised taillights, and a more prominent grille.
Not much is known about the trim level for the facelifted Kia Soul, but we can expect to see a few extra standard features and interior trim options sprinkled onto the cabin.
No changes are expected under the bonnet, which means the car will continue to be powered by a 1.6-liter petrol engine. The four-cylinder unit delivers 120 horsepower and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. For those looking for a little more power, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine should be available with either the five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The oil-burner currently provides 140 horsepower and is available for Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport.
Standard Kia Safety Features will continue to offer the same level of standard safety equipment as all Kia vehicles, with elements such as front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). An antilock brake system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), and rear disc brakes are also available.
Expect the facelift model to debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show in April.
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