This year KIA chose not to bring new models to the Geneva Motor Show, focusing attention on the technology it is developing. The KIA Soul EV is a repeater from other salons, but an increasingly mature product.
Culminating with the launch of the 2nd generation of the KIA Soul, the EV version, arrives in Geneva with strong arguments in the electric vehicle segment.
Like all KIA products, the KIA Soul EV will also have a 7-year or 160,000km warranty.
On the outside, the KIA Soul EV is in every way similar to the other brothers of the Soul range, in other words, the panoramic roof, the 16-inch wheels and LED lighting, are therefore present elements. But the big differences lie in the front and rear sections, which receive for completely redesigned and specific shocks.
Inside, KIA chose to provide the KIA Soul EV with new plastics, through the use of molds with double injection, with the KIA Soul EV dashboard being of better overall quality and softer to the touch. Digital instrumentation uses screens with OLED technology.
For those who have always wondered what would happen when they run out of power in an electric vehicle, KIA has solved the problem with the introduction of an intelligent infotainment system. In addition to the intelligent air conditioning system, which consumes less energy, it is also programmable.
But there is more. The intelligent infotainment system contains a specific anti-stress function, which allows you to consult in real time all the energy consumption of the KIA Soul EV and, together with the navigation system, it is possible to display the closest charging stations as well as the autonomy integrated in the GPS path.
Mechanically, the KIA Soul EV is powered by an 81.4kW electric motor, equivalent to 110 horsepower, with a maximum torque of 285Nm. The electric motor is powered by a set of polymer lithium ion batteries, which compared to traditional lithium ion batteries, have greater density, with a total capacity of 27kWh.
The gearbox with only one forward gear, allows the Soul EV to reach 100km/h in about 12s, reaching 145km/h of top speed.
The range promised by KIA for the KIA Soul EV is 200km. The KIA Soul EV is also the leader in its class, with a battery pack with 200Wh/kg cells, which translates into greater energy storage capacity compared to its weight.
To get around the problem of the impact that low temperatures have on battery efficiency, KIA, in partnership with SK Innovation, designed a special formula for the electrolyte element, so that the batteries work over a wide range of temperatures.
With regard to increasing the number of battery cycles, ie charging and discharging, KIA used positive electrodes (cathode element, in nickel-cobalt manganese) with negative electrodes (anode element, in graphite carbon) and the combination of these elements low-resistance, allows for more efficient battery discharges.
In order for the KIA Soul EV to meet safety standards in crash tests, the battery pack is protected with a ceramic coating.
The KIA Soul EV, like all electric and hybrid models, also features energy recovery systems. Here, integrated into driving modes: Drive mode and Brake mode.
Brake mode is only advisable on descents due to the greater holding power of the electric motor. There is also the ECO mode, which combines the efficiency of all systems so they have the least impact on autonomy.
The 6.6kW AC charger allows the KIA Soul EV to fully charge the batteries in 5 hours, and for 80% of charging, just 25min is enough, at specific charging stations with powers in the order of 100kW.
In dynamic handling, KIA has revised the structural rigidity of the KIA Soul EV and endowed it with a firmer suspension. The KIA Soul EV brings with it low rolling resistance tires, specially developed by Kumho, measuring 205/60R16.
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