Kia’s first electric vehicle for the North American market, the MY2015 Soul EV, has just gone on sale in California.
The electric Soul will go on sale in “additional select markets” in 2015, meaning that, at this point in time, the Soul EV is a compliance car.
Under the hood there’s an electric motor with 81kW (109hp) and 285Nm (210 lb-ft) driving the front wheels. The motor is fed by a 27kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack that delivers an estimated 150km (93mi) of range on a full charge. Interestingly, Kia claims the Soul EV has the best range on the market except for the Tesla Model S.
Top speed is claimed to be 145km/h (90mph), and the Soul EV will complete the 0-60mph (96km/h) dash in under 12 seconds. Under 19km/h (12mph) or in reverse a pedestrian warning system will alert people of its presence.
According to Kia, the Soul EV can be fully charged in 5 hours from 240V outlet, although no time is quoted for the North American standard 120V power point. A 50kW fast charger can replenish the battery to 88 percent within 33 minutes.
Standard features include 8-inch display with satellite navigation, 6.6kW on-board charger, reversing camera, Bluetooth hands-free, electric driver’s seat, cruise control, LED tal-lights, 16-inch alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tyres, and a redesigned energy-saving air conditioning system.
Dimensions
Rear seat leg room: 914mm (-79mm compared to regular Soul); 36-in (-3.1-in)
Trunk space: 532L (18.8 cu-ft) – unchanged
Engine, power, range
Power: 81kW (109hp)
Torque: 285Nm (210 lb-ft)
Range (EPA): 150km (93mi)
Max speed: 145km/h (90mph)
0-60mph: < 12 seconds
