The redesigned 2020 Soul EV is still undergoing
tests, only this time, the heavy body cladding has been removed and, more
importantly, Carscoops spy photographers managed to take a peek inside. Starting with
the car’s overall aesthetic, it’s clear that the boxy design and squared off
front fascia are there to stay, although we do expect the electrified version
to feature a different grille than its ICE-powered counterparts, as is the norm
in EVs.
Let’s run through all the
visual differences between this dashboard design and the one on the current
model. Design-wise, the layout is definitely more modern, with a new steering
wheel, a new, larger infotainment display, larger air vents, a redesigned climate
control stack and a new center console featuring a rotary-style shifter instead
of a more traditional one.
Now, about the range: according to the readout on
the central display, this prototype can drive for 437 km on a 92%
battery charge. This is major news seen as how we had previously suspected that
the new Soul EV would feature the same 64 kWh lithium-ion battery/electric
motor combo that powers the Hyundai Kona Electric, which can travel 415 km between charges on a full battery.
Moreover, the new Sould EV have a much improved range
compared to the current, 2018MY model, which can only manage 178 km. The upcoming Kia Soul EV will likely be unveiled sometime next year as
a 2020 model.
