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"When people first set eyes on the Kia Soul, comparisons to U.S.-only brand Scion are only natural. And that&amp;#039;s precisely the demographic Kia is trying to hit with this departure from traditional Kia styling and design.   Planned for arrival into the U.S. in mid 2009 as an early 2010 model, the Soul will be powered by a 1.6- or a 2.0-liter, inline-4 (124 bhp and 140 bhp, respectively) mated to either a 4-speed auto or a 5-speed manual transmission. A 1.6-liter turbodiesel, available in European markets, will not be offered in the U.S.   The Soul has a 161.6-in. length and a 100.4-in. wheelbase. That makes it about 7 in. shorter than the current Scion xB. Two radio systems will be available and both will be digital audio player friendly. The standard audio package will feature a six-speaker 112-watt system, while the 315-watt premium system will feature an eight-speaker setup, complete with LED-based mood lighting.   Still in the prototype concept phase, the Soul Hybrid features a few major differences. Externally, the Soul Hybrid sports a panoramic folding cloth roof and a clear plastic hood and floor to show off what&amp;#039;s new inside. Internally, it&amp;#039;s equipped with the base-level 1.6-liter engine, a 15kW electric motor (equivalent to about 20 bhp) and a 180-volt lithium-polymer battery pack. The electric motor is mounted coaxially between the flywheel and continuously variable transmission. An idle-stop feature prevents the engine from needlessly idling.   Kia estimates the combined power to be approximately 138 bhp and 167 lb.-ft. of torque, while getting 48 mpg! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/paris-auto-show/news/a14412/2010-kia-soul-and-kia-soul-hybrid-concept/>