Kia Soul EV India Launch Planned for 2020 – Report
We reported earlier that Kia Motors is planning to introduce its global cars as CKD units in the Indian market in the next 2-3 years. A new media report claims that the company could launch the Soul EV in our market in 2020; however, Kia is yet to make a formal announcement on the same.
The company had showcased the 2020 Soul EV at the Kia’s new experience centre in Gurgaon in October, 2019. Kia had set up an immersive experience centre called the BEAT360, which offers an interactive experience with the fully electric SUV, as well as an 11-metre wide surround screen which displays Kia’s vision for its upcoming products.
The report further claims that 2020 will witness over half a dozen electric car launches. The MG ZS EV and the Tata Nexon EV will be launched in our market in early 2020. Other electric cars expected to go on sale in our market includes Audi Etron, Kia Soul, Jaguar i-Pace, Renault City K-ZE, Nissan Leaf, XUV300 electric. and Maruti Suzuki WagonR EV.
The Kia Soul EV comes equipped with a 64kWh battery, which powers an electric motor offering 204PS and 395Nm. The car is claimed to offer a range of 450km on a full charge. The model achieves 0-100kmph in 7.6 seconds before hitting a claimed top speed of 170kmph. The battery takes 9.5 hours to get fully charged on an AC charger, while a fast DC charger can charged battery in an hour.
Featuring boxy design, the Kia Soul EV comes with sporty design elements. It gets a prominent lower grille, thin LED headlamps and 17-inch alloys. It also gets a uniquely styled wraparound taillight. The SUV comes with dual-tone black and beige interior scheme, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with phone app connectivity, and a 10-speaer Harman Kardon sound system. Other key features include leather upholstery, a fully-digital instrument console, automatic climate control and heated seats. Kia Soul EV is available with 4 driving modes including Eco, Eco+, Comfort and Sport.
