Kia Motors America rolled out the first all-new special edition for the Soul line-up today, the 2010 Denim Kia Soul. The automaker will only build 1200 examples of the limited-production model. Based on the Soul+ trim, the Denim Soul consists of unique factory customizations and accessories that further emphasize the Soul's cutting edge style and youthful, fun character.Exclusive to the Denim Soul is a unique denim exterior color, white side mirrors with matching white 18-inch alloy wheels, front fender turn signal indicator lights, a wing-type rear spoiler and a bold off-set white racing stripe. It also adds the Audio Upgrade Package (center speaker, subwoofer, external amplifier and mood speakers), iPod connection cable, steering wheel audio controls, carpeted floor mats, power moonroof, and front fog lights.
[Source: PRNewswire/Kia]
Read more for the full article, more images, and the official press release.
The Denim Soul also packs a long list of standard features from the Soul+ trim it is based on. These include standard keyless remote entry, privacy glass on the rear and rear side windows, body-color door handles, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity, and black cloth seats with Soul logo inserts. The Denim Soul is powered by a 142 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that also propels the Soul+ (plus), ! (exclaim), and Sport trims.
The 2010 Kia Denim Soul starts at $17,300 with a five-speed manual transmission, and $18,250 with an automatic. Kia executives stated that the limited-production model will arrive in Kia showrooms this summer.
PRESS RELEASE: ALL-NEW SPECIAL EDITION 2010 KIA SOUL
Limited-Run Special Edition Soul is Another "New Way to Roll"
IRVINE, Calif., June 23, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — Kia Motors America (KMA) today rolls out the first all-new special edition for the Soul model line, the 2010 Denim Kia Soul, a unique iteration of the popular urban passenger vehicle that further emphasizes Soul's cutting edge style and youthful, fun character. Matched with impressive fuel economy and safety features standard on all models, the special-edition Denim Soul provides consumers with even more personalization options.
"Denim Soul incorporates edginess and confidence," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. "It illustrates our commitment to fresh design, even on a vehicle that's been in the marketplace only a few months, and it's the first of more special editions to be offered in 2010 for the recently introduced Kia Soul."
Exclusive to the Denim Soul is a unique denim exterior color, striking white side-view mirrors with matching white 18-inch alloy wheels, front fender turn signal indicator lights, a wing-type rear spoiler and a bold off-set white racing stripe completing the rally-inspired look. The Denim Soul is based on the Soul+ model and is fully loaded with the Audio Upgrade Package (center speaker, subwoofer, external amplifier and speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music), an iPod connection cable for full functionality via the radio head unit and steering wheel controls, carpeted floor mats, moonroof and fog lights all included for this special edition.
The special edition Denim Soul starts at $17,3001 with a five-speed manual transmission, and $18,250 with an automatic.
Denim Soul builds from the Soul+ model, which offers standard keyless remote entry, privacy glass on the rear and rear side windows, body-color door handles and dual body-color power side mirrors along with 16-inch alloy wheels with P205/55R16 tires. Soul+ offers additional standard features including cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity, dual 12-volt power outlets and tweeter speakers, all enhancing creature comforts on the road, as well as a covered upper storage bin, dual visor vanity mirrors with covers and dual map lights. Black cloth seats are adorned with Soul logo inserts, further personalizing the cabin.
About the Kia Soul
Designed by Kia Motors' Southern California-based design team, Soul is currently on sale at dealerships across the United States and has already been recognized as a "Best Value" by the Texas Auto Writers Association and by Ward's Autoworld for its "Interior of the Year" list. Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, pricing for the versatile five door begins at $13,300 for the base trim, while Soul+ starts at $14,950. Enhancing to the Soul! or Soul sport offers a price beginning at $16,950.
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with either the five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission and is standard on Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport models. The engine produces 142 horsepower with 137 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy offers a thrifty, fuel-sipping 24/30 mpg for both the automatic and manual transmissions2, better than the Scion xB.
Offering plenty of standard features, the Soul trim offers a chrome-accented grille, clear lens auto-off headlamps, solar glass, black door handles and side mirrors, body-colored front and rear fascias with black inserts, black bodyside molding, rear wiper/washer, variable intermittent windshield wipers and 15-inch steel wheels fitted with P195/65R15 tires.
Passengers will find comfort in the Soul's roomy cabin that offers 40.2/39.6 inches of headroom (front/rear), shoulder room of 55.2/55.1 inches, 42.1/39.0 inches of legroom and a passenger volume of 102.3 cubic feet, more spacious than the Scion xB.
Soul's interior design is decidedly influenced by the car's highly specified audio system. An uncluttered dashboard with a three-dial instrument cluster, LCD illumination and floating center stack design is the key visual feature and offers enticing access to the AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities and three months complimentary service3. Standard USB and auxiliary input jacks also are in the center console with full iPod® and MP3 controllability via the audio head unit and steering wheel controls achieved with an optional accessory iPod cable.
Additional standard interior features include air conditioning, tilt steering column, power door locks, power windows with driver's side auto-down, external temperature display and digital clock in the radio, an upper storage bin, dual-level glove box, 12-volt power outlet, rear window defroster, cargo area light and a dome light with delay out. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat offers multiple seating and cargo arrangements depending on driver and passenger needs.
Standard Kia Safety Features
Soul continues to offer the same high level of standard safety equipment as all Kia vehicles, including front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags. An Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) also are standard. Front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, impact-absorbing steering column and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system also come standard on all Soul models, making for a comprehensive list of standard safety features.
Industry-Leading Warranty
Like all Kia models, Soul is covered by a comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in this program are a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, and a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the comprehensive coverage program.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
