By Ronan Glon
Sunday, Mar 31st, 2013 @ 5:23 am
 
Kia has traveled to the 113th New York Motor Show to introduce the all-new 2014 Soul sub-compact.  Riding on a new chassis, the second-gen Soul packs more tech and more torque than the outgoing model.  
 
Penned at Kia's design center in California, the hatchback's front end borrows styling cues such as its lower air intake and its grille from the aggressive Track'ster concept that made its debut at the 2012 Chicago Motor Show.  The back end retains the upright tail lamps that have been a trademark of the Soul since its introduction in 2008.



Under the skin lies a stiffer chassis that makes the next Soul almost an inch longer and wider than the outgoing model.  This frees up extra passenger and cargo capacity while enabling the hatchback to retain its city-friendly footprint.  

Kia promises that the 2014 Soul provides a noticeably more comfortable and quieter ride than the model it is tasked with replacing. Technology-focused customers can order the car with a large 8-inch touch screen mounted on the center stack that lets passengers control Kia's UVO eServices infotainment system, and Pandora internet radio and a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio both come standard.  

When it goes on sale in the United States later this year, the Soul will be available in three trim levels: Base, Plus and Exclaim.  Base is powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injected all-aluminum four-cylinder engine that makes 130 horsepower and 118 lb-ft. of torque, while Plus and Exclaim use a 2.0-liter four-banger that churns out 164 ponies and 151 lb-ft. of torque.  Base and Plus are available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, while Exclaim is only offered with the automatic.  Power is sent to the front wheels regardless of what gearbox is bolted to the engine.  

A new FlexSteer system that allows the driver to pick between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes is available as an option.  

Pricing information will be published closer to the Soul's on-sale date.

Live images by Mark Elias.
  

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