Kia to produce the Soul

DETROIT -- Kia Motors plans to announce later today at the Detroit auto show that it will produce the Soul crossover vehicle in calendar year 2008 as a 2009 model.

The Soul was first presented as a concept vehicle at the Detroit show in 2006.

The small five-seat concept vehicle is equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. The front-wheel drive car has a five-speed automatic transmission that can also work in manual mode.

The Soul concept sits on a 100-inch wheelbase, is 159 inches long, 64 inches tall and 72.8 inches wide.

Tom Kearns, Kia chief designer in the United States, says the vehicle is aimed at a youthful market.

He said the company decided on the name Soul for two reasons: it was first introduced in Detroit, the home of Motown soul music; and the company wanted to play on its Korean heritage (South Korea's capital is Seoul).

The vehicle was designed at Kia's design center in California. The Soul will be produced in Korea primarily for the U.S. market. It may also be sold in Korea and Europe.

You may e-mail Kathy Jackson at [email protected]