Kia Soul electric car goes on sale in South Korea, while first models arrive in Europe.
After all the positive talk about the the second-generation Soul EV, Kia Motors now commenced the serial mass production of the model.
The first vehicles to roll off the production line are headed for Europe, where they will be made available to the consumers this spring.
Later this year, the battery-powered Kia Soul will also go on sale in the United States.
The new Kia Soul EV is manufactured at the Gwangiu production plant in South Korea with an estimated annual output of around 30,000 units.
Those figures aren’t official, though, as Kia have yet to reveal their sales goals for their EV model line-up in 2019.
243-mile driving range – EPA U.S.
The second-generation Soul electric car has an official EPA range of 243 miles, which is more than double compared to the out-going model.
Such long range is possible to achieve due to the increase of the battery size. While the first generation all-electric Soul featured a 27 kWh battery, the model it replaces boasts a 64 kWh battery pack.
The new model also employs a number of energy saving features – smart air intake control, heat pump, and individual ventilation system – as well as an industry leading 250Wh/kg cell energy to ensure that excellent drive range is delivered.
Regenerative energy is captured and recycled while the car is coasting and braking. A 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor provides the power and produces a very respectable 395 Nm of torque.
Power is delivered to the front wheels via a single speed constant ratio gear reduction unit. No AWD is available on the new Kia Soul EV, though.
Kia wanted to maintain the fun and drivability of the gas-powered Soul, which they were able to do. Acceleration from 0-62 mph clocks in at a touch over 7 seconds, with the vehicle able to hit top speeds of more than (100 mph).
A low center of gravity is delivered thanks to the battery being situated underneath the cabin. This makes for a smooth and easy to handle ride.
Recharge your battery
Charging the new Soul is as easy as plugging the car into any standard household electrical outlet. Recharging times vary depending on how depleted the battery is and the type of charger used.
A 7.2 kW AC slow charger can take 9 hours and 35 minutes to fully charge the battery, whereas an 80% charge can be achieved in 60 minutes using a 100 kW charger. The 50 kW DC charger can get the job done in 75 minutes.
