KIA Motors South Africa (KMSA) has launched its new website. The website incorporates the new KIA tiger nose corporate identity and features, what KIA say is, “advanced usability”.

While we’re more partial to testing cars than websites, we know KIA are quite big on the digital extension of their brand and decided to take a look for ourselves. At a glance, we found the new website has a ‘cleaner’ look, is easy to navigate and find information on the various models, as well as request test drives and quotes. The new design showcases the brand’s product very well and the integration of the trademark tiger nose corporate identity is a nice touch too. However, KIA, if you’re listening, we have some suggestions.

We had to study the page to find the contact button and subsequent conventional contact information, such as email address and telephone number. Also, the ‘Find A Dealer’ search field has a spelling mistake, “Enter your locaction or city”.

We also found that when we typed in “Cape Town” as our location, zero search results were returned.

Good news if you visit the site during office hours though, is that KIA’s ‘Live Online Chat’ service offers real-time answers to your questions thanks to dedicated help desk professionals. The service, which was launched in 2010 and has been a tremendous success says KIA, is a first for the SA motor industry.

Take a look at the KIA Motors South Africa website for yourself and let us know if you find it as easy to use as KIA hopes you will.

We recently jetted off to Mozambique where Kia chose to unveil their all-new Sportage compact-SUV to SA’s motoring media. Slightly bigger and far bolder than its predecessor, the all-new Sportage is the latest model from the Korean manufacturer, which is growing in leaps and bounds.

Globally, Kia Motors grew 21% in 2009 and the first half of 2010 has seen a further 49% growth spurt over the same period as last year. It’s not surprising to hear that in 2010 China is leading the way in the company’s growth, at a rate of 76.8%, however, standing out from the rest of their global markets, Kia Motors South Africa has grown by an impressive 141% up to June this year and currently holds a 5% share of SA’s total vehicle market.

When the first Kia cars rolled out of SA showrooms, around 13 years ago, the buying choice was very much an economic decision rather than an emotional one. Now, the latest Kia cars are worthy of decisions made with both the head and the heart. To make this happen Kia have been hard at work, most notably in their R&D department where they spend 5%, or around US $2 billion annually. To further distinguish the brand, Kia has set up design studios in California and Frankfurt that serve to inject their cars with a mix of cutting edge design and global appeal. Heading the design team, spread between the USA, Europe and Korea, is Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, best known for penning the lines of the Audi TT.

Schreyer has been instrumental in Kia’s rise to the top of the sales charts since he started with the company in 2006. Schreyer himself has been quoted as saying, “In the past, the Kia cars were very neutral. When you saw one on the road, you didn’t really know if it was Korean or Japanese…I think it’s very important that you are able to recognise a Kia at first sight.” The result is the “tiger face”, which Schreyer has gifted Kia and that will be the company’s signature look for the foreseeable future.

With the launch of the new Sportage however, it would seem that future is now. The connection to the Kue concept, first shown in 2007 at the Detroit Motor Show, is unmistakable and you may be forgiven for thinking the Sportage is a concept car that’s driven straight off the motor show stand and onto the road. A winning combination of bold curves, lines and surfaces, the new Sportage is a looker from any angle and especially in either the ‘Techno Orange’ or ‘Electric Yellow’ colours.

The interior has also moved more upmarket, in both design and perceived quality. Kia’s cars were never short on value for money in terms of features and the new Sportage is no different. There are three specification levels – centered around the engine and transmission choices.

Beginning with the front-wheel drive (FWD) ‘Ignite’ entry-level model, standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, manually operated air-conditioner, electrically operated side mirrors and windows, steering wheel mounted satellite controls, reverse parking assist system and radio/CD/MP3-player with iPod and USB connectivity. The Sportage Ignite is powered by Kia’s revised Theta II 2.0-litre engine that has received a number of updates to make it smoother, quieter, more powerful and more fuel efficient. Maximum power is 122 kW and a torque figure of 197 Nm is achieved at 4 600 r/min. Performance in this base model is adequate, with the 0 – 100 km/h sprint achieved in 10.4 seconds and a top speed of 184 km/h. The engine delivers its power to the road via a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The other two-wheel drive (2WD) 2.0-litre models feature added comfort and convenience features such as; cruise control, LED day-time running lights, a glove box with cooling function, leather covered seats, electronically adjustable driver’s seat, as well as a set of roof rails to strengthen the crossover look.

The flagship petrol-powered model uses a 2.4-litre engine that produces 130 kW and maximum torque of 227 Nm at 4 000 r/min. The Sportage 2.4-litre model is available exclusively with a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), which delivers 100% of torque to the front wheels during normal road driving with the option to manually select ‘Lock Mode’ for a 50/50 torque split between front/rear axles when added grip is needed at speeds of up to 40 km/h.

The third engine variant comes from Kia’s latest generation of ‘R’ family diesel engines. The 2.0-litre 16-valve DOHC ‘R2.0′ diesel engine benefits from all-aluminium construction, a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), a faster and more advanced engine control unit (ECU), new exhaust gas recirculation system with cooler and bypass valve, as well as a balancer shaft. Maximum power from the diesel engine is 130 kW with 392 Nm of torque is available from 1 800 r/min. The gutsy diesel endows the Sportage with a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 9.4 seconds in 6-speed manual guise, or 9.6 seconds when equipped with the 6-speed auto ‘box. In addition, the diesel engine requires just 6.5 l/100km or 7.5 l/100km for the manual and automatic transmissions respectively.

All 2WD and 4WD models, excluding the entry-level ‘Ignite’, feature ‘Welcome home’ escort lights and LED day-time running lights. The AWD models also benefit from a tailgate-mounted reversing camera with interior mirror display monitor; 18-inch alloy wheels; Smart Card (for keyless entry, together with an engine start/stop button); radio/CD/MP3-player with 6-disc changer, subwoofer and amplifier.

All Sportage models come standard with a bevy of safety features that includes: electronic stability control (ESC) with a new rollover sensor that deploys the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when required; hill-start assist control to prevent roll-back when starting on an ascent; downhill brake control to limit speed during a steep descent; as well as the usual ABS, EBD, traction control, airbags (dual front, side and full-length curtain) and child seat anchor points.

In balmy Maputo we had the opportunity to drive the Sportage Ignite model and came away impressed. Inside, the Sportage offers enough space for four adults with luggage, thanks in part to its growth over the previous Sportage by 95 mm in length (4 445 mm) and 15 mm in width (1 855 mm). The driving position is comfortable and the instrumentation is ‘clean’ and easy to read. The new Sportage ushers in a new level of interior quality and tactility that we haven’t seen in Kia’s cars to date and it’s a welcome addition to the Kia experience. There is a generous 740-litres of cargo space available behind the rear seats, expandable to 1 547-litres with the rear seats folded flat. The boot also features a handy non-slip mat to help prevent items rolling around excessively and stored beneath this you’ll find a full-size spare wheel – potentially a life saver on Mozambique’s roads that can be peppered with pot holes. There are also plenty of storage areas in the cabin for added practicality.

On the move the Sportage handles well thanks to its wider front and rear tracks (74 mm / 75 mm), as well as a 23 mm lower ride height at 172 mm. Despite the shift to a more sportier driving experience, the Kia engineers have managed to strike a good balance of effective handling without compromising ride comfort. Over the bumps and undulations between Maputo and the Lebombo mountains, the Sportage’s all-new, multi-link, fully-independent rear suspension and retuned MacPherson front struts, meant the compact-SUV remained composed and tracked well, never being thrown off-line or demanding undue inputs at the wheel. The 2.0-litre petrol engine performs its duties smoothly, but with almost 2 tonnes (1 980 kg) to lug around it does require some work with the 5-speed manual transmission.

The Kia Sportage plays in a competitive market, with a number of new or refreshed players, including the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai iX35 and Renault Koleos, to name a few. However, our first impressions suggest the Sportage’s practicality, comfort, on-road composure, head turning looks and competitive pricing, guarantee its continuity as an asset in Kia’s model line-up, if not the proverbial jewel in their crown.

Prices include a 5 Year/100 000 km warranty, roadside assistance and service plan. Service intervals are 15 000 kms for petrol models and 20 000 kms for diesel models using 50 ppm diesel.

‘Overlooked’ would be how we’d describe Kia Motors in South Africa up until a few years ago. To remedy this perception, or rather lack thereof, the company has made bold moves, including offering an industry leading 5-year/150 000 km warranty on all their vehicles and more recently by offering a fresh range of stylish new models, which began with the Soul, followed by Cerato and a just few weeks ago, the Sorento SUV.

The Cerato was launched towards the end of last year, around the same time that Chevrolet launched their new Cruze. The two new comers go head-to-head in the compact-sedan market and although our purpose here is not to compare the two, you can judge or yourself by taking a look at our test of the 1.6 Chevrolet Cruze.

Interior
Inside, the Cerato’s cabin offers enough space in both the front and the rear. The black cloth covered seats are comfortable, a big improvement over those of the Soul, which lacked lumbar support. It’s easy enough to find a commanding driving position, thanks to a height and reach adjustable steering-wheel. Instrumentation is clearly legible, although we would like a traditional analogue temperature gauge instead of the blue/red lights used. The indicator stalks and other switch gear have a positive feel about them and all work in a logical manner.

The centre stack in the dashboard houses controls for the air conditioning, radio/cd/mp3 player and flows down towards the transmission console, where you’ll find a useful storage tray in front of the gear lever, as well as two cup holders between the handbrake and armrest. A small but valuable accessory offered by Kia is that of a connector to charge and link your iPod to the radio – something other manufacturers should take note of. While we’re on that point, the sound quality of the radio is nothing fantastic and suffers from over eager bass reproduction.

The Cerato’s interior plastics are well screwed together and equally well finished off. The various textures used in the dashboard help to achieve a smart and tasteful look, while a soft metal finish has been applied to the interior door handles, steering wheel centre, door trims, transmission console and the centre stack.

For a small family of four, ample storage space is available and includes two cup holders (front and rear), a dashboard glove box that is 20% larger than before, a sunglasses holder, as well as storage bins in each door. The rear seat backrest is split in a 60/40 configuration and when folded down, increases carrying capacity over the already ample 415-litres. A nice touch is the rubberised floor mat in the boot, which helps to prevent luggage from rolling around, as well as the anti-dazzle rearview mirror – an expensive option on some more expensive cars.

From a safety aspect, the new Cerato features a comprehensive list of features as standard. Passengers can travel safely knowing they have the benefit of ABS, EBD, driver and front passenger airbags, side and full-length curtain airbags, active head restraints and an auto impact door unlock mechanism.

Exterior
By now you would have noticed the Kia Cerato on the road, even if you weren’t sure what it was at first glance. There’s a very good reason for this. In 2006, Kia appointed Peter Schreyer as their head of design. Peter who? Peter Schreyer joined Kia after 25 years with Audi, during which time he penned the classic lines of the Audi TT. But enough with the history lessons, one look at the Cerato and you’re instantly drawn to a family sedan with bold lines and stylish face – something quite uncharacteristic of most passenger cars in our local C-segment.

Front fog lamps, colour coded side mirrors with integrated indicators, chromed door handles to match the front grille, black accents in the rear bumper and 16-inch alloy wheels, round off the 1.6′s suave look. Our test vehicle wore a coat of Kia’s ‘Dark Cherry’ paint and turned more than a few heads during our test period – we were even waved down in a parking lot only to be told “what a nice colour”.

The Drive
According to Kia, the experience you should have behind the wheel of the new Cerato is one of “precise vehicle control and good ‘feel’”, thanks to the car’s speed-sensitive, motor driven, power-assisted steering. However, we feel the manufacturer still has some way to go to achieving this.

The inherent straight line stability of the new Cerato is fine – only the blustery Cape Doctor warranted steering corrections. Despite the all-new coupled torsion beam axle, the Cerato can get a little ‘squirelly’ over a series of bumps, which is not an endearing trait. The rear suspension also seems to be a little too softly sprung, with a full boot of luggage, or heavy compliment of rear passengers resulting in a more wallowy feel. The new rear suspension setup does have its benefits though – a 12 kg weight saving over the previous multi-link setup, as well as a more compact layout resulting in more interior cabin and cargo space.

As you might well have guessed, cornering in the Cerato is a somewhat benign experience, thanks to an artificial and over assisted steering setup. The car always goes where you point it, but with a definite disconnect between the driver and the road. Around town these attributes are not as pronounced, in fact the light steering is welcomed, but on the open road the steering is more functional than sensational.

Performance
The 1.6 Kia Cerato, is powered by, yes you guessed it, a 1,6-litre 16-valve engine, which produces a useful 91 kW at 6 300 rpm. This makes it one of the most powerful engines in its class, on par with Toyota’s 1.6 Auris and Corolla models and second only to the snappy little Renault Twingo RS. The 5-speed gearbox is easy to operate but could do with an extra cog to further improve fuel consumption and reduce noise at cruising speeds. And cruise the Cerato does, with just over 1.2 tonnes to haul around, the gutsy engine pulls well and maintains a comfortable pace with relative ease. Despite not having a 6th gear to lower engine speed (the Cerato maintains close to 3 500 rpm at 120 km/h), the engine returned an admirable fuel consumption of 7.6 l/100km.

What we like…

• New face of Kia breathes a bit of life into the traditionally bland styling of the C-segment.
• Gutsy and economical 1,6-litre engine.
• iPod & Aux-In connections and anti-dazzle rearview mirror as standard.

What we would like…

• Steering feel.
• A more composed rear suspension setup when carting heavier rear passengers and loads.

When the KIA Soul made its local debut a few months ago, managing director of KIA Motors South Africa, Ray Levin, said “This is a brand new urban crossover packed full of liberating ideas”. Brand new it certainly is, but we’re not sure about the ‘liberating ideas’ part. One thing is for sure though, it’s like no other car on the road today.

Exterior
Riding 165 mm above the ground with short overhangs both front and rear, the Soul is positioned in the MPV / SUV arena (the KIA Sedona MPV rides just 2 mm higher, while the new Sorento SUV sits 19 mm higher) but looks like neither. KIA call the Soul an ‘urban crossover’, or ‘crossover utility vehicle’ (CUV), which we suppose is a term that fits the Soul better than it ever could VW’s CrossPolo or the now extinct MG Rover Streetwise.

At the front, the Soul’s high bonnet and rounded forms imply power and strength, while the bulging wheel arches and wide track give the car a broad stance that heightens its sense of stability. Large head lamps and a chrome grille give Soul a ‘friendly face’ and the prominent centre bumper shouts ‘tough-not-rough’. The A-pillars are masked with a high-gloss black moulding for a wrap-around look that is crucial to the Soul’s appearance.

It’s a quirky design that elicits a second glance wherever it goes and whether you love it or hate it, getting noticed on our crowded city streets says something.

Interior
The Soul makes extensive use of plastics to form a cockpit that is adequate rather than attractive. The centre console breaks the mold by standing out from and extending the width of the dashboard, with a grey highlight incorporating the radio and climate controls. The switch-gear is simple to use and well laid out, with all instrumentation being lit up with red back-lighting. The illuminated instrument panel is a pleasure to read during the day, but without being able to adjust the brightness it’s overpowering at night and takes away some of the contrast provided between a darker cabin and brighter headlights. Pleasantly surprising features were the satellite controls on the steering wheel for adjusting the radio, as well as USB connection for plugging-in your iPod or MP3 player. Electrically powered windows, both front and rear, provide a touch of convenience in a well put together interior, free of any squeaks or rattles.

As can be expected from its boxy design there is plenty of space inside the KIA Soul, especially when it comes to headroom. The glove box is one of the largest we’ve witnessed, but the bright red interior colour it shares with the sunglasses case atop the dash, clashed with the rest of our test car and looked out of place – unless of course you opt for a red Soul. The Soul welcomes four adult passengers with plenty of legroom, in addition to the stratospheric levels of headroom available. However, the driver’s seat lacks support for one’s back, particularly for the arch area, which is far from ideal. Luggage space is an adequate 671 litres, handling the weekly shopping and school runs with ease – and the rear seats can be folded down in a 60/40 split for extra carrying capacity.

On the safety front, the KIA Soul is equipped with three-point safety belts for all passengers, with pretensioners and load-limiters in the front. Active headrests move forward and upward within milliseconds of an impact to cushion the head and prevent whiplash. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are standard on all models, as are the dual front airbags. Side and full-length curtain airbags are available on the ‘high-spec’ models.

The Drive
The Soul finds a good balance between the power of its engine and handling of its chassis. Considering its ride height, the Soul handles well and does not suffer from excessive bodyroll as one might expect by looking at the car’s proportions. The steering is light and responsive, with a sharp turning circle that makes driving around town a doddle. When pushed, the Soul will understeer, but its handling is completely predictable and easily remedied by easing off the throttle. In fact, its predictable handling helps to make the Soul a fun car to drive and even though it’s not sporty by design, the Soul does humour you if you decide to ‘hotfoot’ it through a set of turns. The combination ABS and EBD linked to disc brakes up front and drums at the rear, work well to bring the Soul to a stop.

The Soul is at home on city streets, however once out of town and travelling at our national speed limit the upright nature of the Soul lends itself to wind noise. Coupled with the high-revving engine and steering that isn’t speed sensitive, or tightened as speed increases, open road driving can become tiring over long distances.

Performance
The KIA Soul is powered by a 1,6-litre DOHC 16-valve engine that produces 91 kW at 6 300 rpm and 156 N.m of torque at 4 600 rpm. It’s a lively engine that thrives on revs but sounds quicker than it is. The zero to 100 km/h sprint is dealt with in 10.4 seconds and top speed is 177 km/h. The Soul won’t win any robot-to-robot races, but the willing and vocal engine makes it fun to try anyway. KIA claims a combined fuel consumption of 6.6 L/100km, but with the Cape Doctor at full puff during our test period, we averaged quite a bit higher.

Overall the Soul is a likable city car. It’s quirky design is something few manufacturers can offer. Along with an adequate array of safety and convenient features, for the performance and price KIA offers a ‘Soul-lution’ that won’t break the bank.

What we like…

• Unique styling – the Soul is the first Korean car to receive recognition from the world renowned ‘red dot’ design awards.
• Fun to drive in and around town.
• KIA’s 5-year warranty and 4-year service plan.

What we would like…

• Improved sound insulation from engine and wind noise.
• Ability to adjust the brightness of the instrument back-lighting.

Kia’s stylish and fun urban cross-over car, the Soul, has become the first Korean car ever to receive recognition from the world renowned ‘red dot’ awards at the 2009 product design competition held in Germany.

With more than 3,230 entries from 49 countries in 17 different categories, the newly-launched Kia Soul was selected from the ‘Automobile Transport and Caravan’ section to receive an honourable mention.

“Our design teams in Korea, California and Europe can be very proud Kia Soul has achieved this prestigious recognition. Kia’s design strategy is focusing on distinctive product solutions and the development of a unique Kia family look. This recognition is a clear reward for Kia’s determination to establish design as one of the key components of its corporate DNA,” says Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

Possibly even more importantly the new ‘little ‘un’ gained a 5-star Euro NCAP rating just days before its local release.

“The passion behind this vehicle arose from the idea to create a rebellious new car for a new generation of drivers. The new Kia Soul is anything but standard. Kia’s suggestion to its customers is to ‘think inside the box and drive beyond it’,” says Ray Levin, Managing Director of Kia Motors South Africa. “This is a brand new urban crossover packed full of liberating ideas – a car that challenges consumers to ‘free your mind’.

Soul is an urban crossover – small enough to be ideally suited to the world’s urban jungles, but very different to conventional, workaday small cars. By combining the charm and desirability of MINI and Fiat 500, with a hint of SUV ruggedness, Kia is opening up an entirely new market sub-segment with a car that will win the hearts – and souls – of the young and the young-at-heart.

Like conventional superminis, Soul has five doors, five seats and front-wheel drive; is just over four metres long and is a hatchback.

It remains faithful to the concept car revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at the start of 2006. That concept was the inspiration of Kia’s North American design studios in California, led by Tom Kearns. Eight months later, when Peter Schreyer became Chief Design Officer at Kia, he was immediately full of enthusiasm for Soul and has personally overseen the project through to the final production stage. He was intimately involved with the Soul concept ‘trio’ of Burner, Searcher and Diva, which appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008. Design teams in America, Europe and Korea have collaborated to bring it to fruition.

“Detroit 2006 marked a special point in time for Kia Motors,’ Schreyer said when he unveiled the production car at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. “Very few people, even those inside Kia, realised what a big moment it was when the Soul concept first appeared. It looked like a flight of fancy…until now.

“For our customers, it’s a lifestyle statement. It creates a strong emotional link between them and us. It will be our first car where customers will check the colours and accessories before they check the price. It is our accelerator for an image shift towards design.’

Soul’s style is ‘tough not rough’. It has a high bonnet with rounded forms, bulging wheel arches and a wide track. A body side crease joins the wheel arches, while the roofline appears to slope gently down to the tailgate. The beltline, which rises from the front wheel arch to create a gentle wedge shape, continues under and around the third side window. A decorative air vent in each front wing incorporates sleek side repeaters and abuts the beltline to intensify an image of quality.

Vertical combination lamps set into a body colour panel and featuring clear outer lenses dominate the rear. One of the early ‘concept’ sketches that helped to define what Soul was all about featured a wild boar. With its strong, wide shoulders, a determined look in its eyes and distinctive sloping back, this animal has one extra, and unusual, attribute – a practical backpack.

The rectangular tailgate reflects that backpack ‘profile’, a design element which has remained since those early inspirational designs that included the ‘wild boar’ – it underlines practicality and reflects the urban nature of Soul.

The Soul is 4,1 metres long with a wheelbase of 2 550 mm. But the key dimensions behind the Soul’s striking appearance are vertical measurements. Overall height is 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 raised by 45 mm to 165 mm. Luggage capacity is 340 litres with the rear seats upright, similar to the KIA Rio hatchback.

“The Kia Soul is all about creating a car that demonstrates Kia’s passion for automotive design. The Soul will get Kia talked about and generate customer appeal that will translate into strong sales,” projects Zian van Heerden, sales director for Kia Motors South Africa.

And Kia is getting attention – car rental companies do not buy product that is not going to withstand the rigours of the business. Kia SA has sold 1 000 Picantos to Avis this calendar year and 1 000 to Imperial Car Rental. Hertz has taken a mix of 200 Picantos, 250 Sportage, 250 Sedona and 150 Rio.

“First impressions will make a big impact and there will be several unique aspects to the experience of sitting in the Soul,” says Gregory Guillaume, chief designer, Kia Motors Europe. “The tall doors and high-mounted seats make for easy access, while the ‘laid back’ dashboard, triple dial instrument cluster and thick-rimmed steering wheel create an unusual combination of spaciousness for passengers and cosy-ness for the driver to generate a very special ambience inside this new Kia.”

Every Kia Soul in South Africa will be 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 – a 112 watts output, innovative PowerBass technology and a rooftop antenna. The Soul is fitted with steering wheel mounted audio controls.

Standard features on the Soul in South Africa will include: 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.

Additionally it has electric power steering, air-conditioning, tinted glass with shaded windscreen band, central locking, ‘battery saver’ to prevent draining of the battery, heated door mirrors, special ‘Soul Glow’ seating fabric, a rear spoiler and front and rear fog lights.

Powered by a 1,6-litre petrol engine – a 1,5-litre diesel will follow later this year – featuring electronic multi-point fuel injection and continuously variable valve timing (CVVT), the all aluminium 16-valve unit generates a maximum power output of 91,2 kW at 6 300 r/min and 156 Nm of torque at 4,200 r/min.

Kia claims acceleration from rest to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds going on to reach 177 km/h.

The Soul is fitted with a fully independent front and twist-beam rear suspension system designed to deliver responsive handling and a supple ride. At the front, mounted on the same sub-frame that supports the engine and transmission, the MacPherson Struts have co-axial coil springs, offset for smooth operation, together with offset kingpin geometry and a 4-degree castor angle.

At the rear, the Soul’s suspension is also sub-frame mounted and employs a transverse torsion beam axle with trailing arms. The coil springs and dampers are mounted separately to ensure smooth operation and minimal intrusion into the cabin/trunk space.

Nitrogen gas-filled shock absorbers, tuned to best suit specific market requirements, are standard fit for both the front and rear suspension systems for optimal damping performance and body control.

A four-channel, four-sensor, anti-lock braking system is fitted as standard. The system incorporates an electronic brake force distributor (EBD), helping to distribute braking force evenly between front and rear wheels.

“The new KIA Soul will kick-start the second major change in perceptions of our brand in recent times and will have an enormous effect on our sales in South Africa, says Levin. “With the introduction of the cee’d, our first car designed and manufactured in Europe, we brought about a qualitative revolution for our brand and started the process of changing the way KIA is viewed by customers.”

The KIA Soul will retail at R189 995 and includes a 4 Year / 90,000 km Service plan.

Colin Windell is the editor of Fleet magazine and contributor to SA Car Fan.