Kia has revealed the full specifications of its Soul EV for
Europe. Sold in the region as the e-Soul, the all-electric model offers a
driving range of up to 452 km, according to the WLTP combined
cycle. That maximum range is achieved with the optional 64 kWh battery but Kia
also offers a standard-range 39.2 kWh pack that enables the crossover to cover
277 kilometers on a single charge.
Each of the
new-generation lithium-ion polymer battery packs is offered with a different
electric motor. The standard battery feeds a 100 kW (136 PS) electric
motor that delivers a peak torque of 395 Nm. Offering 23 percent
more power than the outgoing Soul EV, the standard e-Soul is more energy
efficient, being rated at 145 Wh/km on the combined WLTP cycle.
The long-range
battery works with a 150 kW (204 PS) electric motor that also produces
395 Nm of torque. It covers 452 km on a single charge
thanks to energy consumption of 157 Wh/km on the combined WLTP cycle. It’s also
pretty fast, with a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in just 7.6 seconds.
Regardless of the
battery choice, the e-Soul offers a standard Combined Charging System (CCS) DC
fast charger. Using a 100 kW DC fast charger, both battery packs can be
recharged from 20 percent up to 80 percent capacity in 42 minutes.
The European
battery-electric Soul comes with a range of energy-recuperation technologies to
maximize driving range, including a heat pump system that harnesses waste heat
from the car’s coolant system. It also features a regenerative braking system
that is operated by paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel.
Drivers can choose
from five regenerative braking modes, depending on the level of energy
recuperation they want from the brakes. Additionally, there’s a Drive Mode
Select system which lets drivers choose between “Normal,” “Eco,” “Eco+” and
“Sport” mode.
The new e-Soul goes
on sale in Europe after the Geneva Motor Show premiere, towards the end of
March 2019. It will be offered with a seven-year, 150,000-kilometer warranty that also covers the electric motor and battery pack.
Pricing will be announced closer to the start of sales.
