The Kia Soul, has earned its name in the market by becoming the first Korean car ever to receive recognition from the world renowned ‘red dot’ awards at the 2009 product design competition held in Germany.

Out of more than 3,230 entries from 49 countries in 17 different categories, the Soul was selected from the ‘Automobile Transport and Caravan’ section to receive an honorable recognition.

The carmaker, Kia’s design strategy is to produce distinctive product solutions and to develop a unique family look.

Just days before its release, the Soul gained a 5-star Euro NCAP rating just days before its local release, showing the time and ingenuity invested in the design and manufacture.

Quoting the words of Kia’s Managing Director; Ray Levin, the Kia Soul is “a brand new urban crossover packed with full of liberating ideas, a car that challenges consumers to free one’s mind”.

The Soul is powered by a 1,6-litre petrol engine , with an option of a 1,5-litre diesel. It can acceleration up to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds, going on to reach 177 km/h.

The Kia combines the charm and desirability of MINI and Fiat 500, with a hint of SUV identity. It is a soul winner both for the young and the young-at-heart. An urban crossover vehicle that also serves as workaday vehicle.

The Soul has five doors, five seats and front-wheel drive; just over four meters long and comes as a handy hatchback. It is designed from the car concept revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at the start of 2006, forming the basis for inspiration of the Kia Soul.

The Kia Soul has a high bonnet with rounded forms, bulging wheel arches and a wide track. It has vertical combination lamps set into a body colour panel and featuring clear outer lenses that dominate the rear.

The Soul is 4,1 metres long with a wheelbase of 2 550 mm. It has striking vertical dimensions, a height of 1 610 mm, the base of the windscreen is 135 mm higher than a typical compact car, the ‘hip point’ is 120 mm higher and the ground clearance is 165 mm. It has a luggage capacity of 340 litres with the rear seats upright.

The Soul, definitely has got customer appeal, having realized notable sales to several car rental companies, on the judgment of its ability to withstand the demands of the business.

The Kia Soul in South Africa is equipped with a factory-fit RDS Radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility, plus USB, AUX and iPod connections in the centre console, speed rated volume control, six audio speakers; one in each door and two tweeters with a 112 watts output, innovative PowerBass technology and a rooftop antenna. It is also fitted with steering wheel mounted audio controls.

The Soul in South Africa model comes fitted with the following standard features: 16-inch alloy wheels, 205/55 R16 tyres, body colour side mouldings and door mirror housings, electrically operated front and rear windows, front driver and passenger air bags, head restraints and three-point seat belts for all five occupants, remote release filler flap and rear screen wiper.

Added to these features are: electric power steering, air-conditioning, and tinted glass with shaded windscreen band, central locking, heated door mirrors, a rear spoiler; front and rear fog lights.

The Soul is fitted with a fully independent front and twist-beam rear suspension, providing for responsive handling & ride. The Soul’s rear suspension is sub-frame mounted and employs a transverse torsion beam axle with trailing arms.

It comes with nitrogen gas-filled shock absorbers, as standard fit for both the front and rear suspension systems for optimal damping performance and body control.

Its safety and security features come standard with the following; a four-channel, four-sensor, anti-lock braking system, fitted as standard and an electronic brake force distributor (EBD).

The joy of the Soul is not just being economic, it has the beauty that a vehicle with soul appeal should possess, the ability to please and touch souls.