The Kia Soul EV 2019 will have 204 hp and a battery of 64 kWh for a much greater autonomy

The new generation of Kia Soul EV, the electric version of the model, has just been shown at the Los Angeles Hall, before its launch on the European market during the first half of next year. 2019. In addition to the propulsion system, the first ones too design and technology.

The improvement of the Kia Soul EV 2019 it is particularly important in terms of power level and, above all, autonomy, in addition to the fact that it already integrates a combined charger or CCS as standard (Combined charging system) allowing DC fast charge of direct current.

In the design part, it is obvious that the Kia Soul keeps its essence and its general forms, but its appearance is updated thanks, for example, to new front and rear bumpers. LED headlights much more stylized, fog lights or rims 17 inches in the specific design of five radios.

Much more power and autonomy

The new EV incorporates a lithium-ion battery 64 kWh (The original was only 27 kWh), although the autonomy figure as such is still pending approval and is only announced in early 2019. The charging socket, in all cases, is located at the front of the vehicle, instead of the front grille in a conventional vehicle and on the driver's side.

The electric motor of the new Soul EV is also significantly more powerful than before because it offers 204 hp and a maximum torque of 395 Nm, far exceeds the 111 HP and 285 Nm of the original model. Thus, it promises a much higher level of performance than before and will offer four different driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Eco +.

On a dynamic level, the EV Soul also advertises better handling because it now has an independent rear axle. There is no lack of a system of braking energy recovery whose regeneration level (from 0 to 3) can be adjusted by means of cams of the steering wheel, which allows the driver to choose the level of retention of the car and reduce the use of the brake pedal.

This system, capable of adjusting the level of retention of the engine based on, for example, a vehicle detected in front or in case of descent, is badociated with the said system. Smart Eco Pedal Guide, a dashboard badistant who informs us of the use of the battery in real time and our use or abuse of the accelerator pedal.

Technological interior and many badistants

The interior of the Kia Soul EV 2019 is equipped with a multimedia touch screen 10.25 inches which includes connectivity Bluetooth and it is compatible with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The audio equipment, with six speakers, incorporates a USB port and steering wheel controls.

The Soul EV is equipped with seven airbags, traction and stability controls, ABS, hill start badist, pedestrian detectors, tire pressure monitoring system, and other aids. as the frontal collision alert, the lane change alert, the lane maintenance badistant, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, blind spot or cross alert, and rear view camera with parking guidance, among others.

In some European markets, a basic finish will be proposed and the so-called Designer Collection, ranging from two-tone bodywork (gray / gold, black / roko, blue / black) to power trim mirrors, Harman-Kardon 10-speaker audio system, wireless charger for mobile phones, steering wheel-wrapped leather, etc. …

The model is manufactured at the Gwangju factory, South Korea, and will be on sale in the United States and Europe in the first half of 2019. The autonomy and the final price of the model will be announced next year.