Kia Soul Does Some Inner Searching with New Special Edition

The Soul Searcher is the latest addition to Kia's Originals line-up, which includes a collection of distinctive versions of the sub-compact crossover. This here special edition is for the UK market and it follows on from the Burner, Shaker, Tempest and Echo. Sales scheduled to start from the 4th January 2011.
The car is cosmetically distinguished by a light green metallic paintwork, and cream and brown full leather interior offset by a two-tone, cream and black dashboard. Furthermore, Kia's designers added chrome front grille and door handles, roof rails, black bezel headlights, front and rear mud flaps as well as 18-inch silver alloy wheels.


Standard specification includes reversing sensors, front fog lights, electric folding door mirrors, privacy glass, dual auto air conditioning and heated front seats, plus an upgraded 8 speaker sound system with subwoofer and external amplifier, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.
The Soul Searcher is powered by a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine available with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, with prices starting from £16,965 OTR and £18,025 (including VAT at the new 20% rate) respectively.

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Kia Takes New Soul White Tiger and Hamstar Concepts to SEMA Show

Kia is represented by a variety of customized models at this week's 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, including this pair of concept versions of the Soul crossover called the "White Tiger" and "Hamstar".

The first concept study, the Soul White Tiger, is actually a teaser to one of two all-new special edition models that the company is planning to launch before the end of the year. Following in the footsteps of the four special edition Souls introduced over the past year, the White Tiger model features some unique styling cues and added content.

Taking design cues from this year's Asian Lunar year animal, the Tiger, the customized Soul combines an all-white exterior with tiger-themed graphics and a contrasting jet black leather interior.

The body colored bumpers, spoiler, black fender vents, rear bumper cat claw appliqué, alloy fuel door and white-finish 18-inch alloy wheels round off the exterior package, while interior goodies include a push-button start, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, unique floor mats with contrasting stitching and illuminated scuff plates.

Next up is the Soul Hamstar Concept, inspired by the hip hamsters from Kia's well-received ad campaign. The crossover's exterior is finished in a custom red and black color scheme, highlighted by a "star" graphic with the signature Hamstar script logo on the hood and off-black matte finish stripes on the sides. The car rides on black gloss and polished alloy wheels.

Inside, interior appointments include two-tone red and black sport cloth seat materials with black chenille stars attached to the back side of the front headrests, special Hamstar floor mats and a rubberized Hamstar badge.

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Kia Recalling 2010 Soul and 2011 Sorento for Electrical Issues

The first recall of the month comes from Kia, which is recalling approximately 23,973 Soul subcompacts from the 2010MY and around 11,213 Sorento crossovers from the 2011MY, all built from September 7, 2009 through July 30, 2010, due to a potential fault with the vehicles' electrical system.

In a letter to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the South Korean automaker said a limited number of wiring harnesses supplied by JCI and used in the Soul's lighting speaker system, located in the front door trim panels, and the Sorento's interior accent illumination, placed in the front and rear door trim panels, may have been improperly soldered.

Even though there are no reports of accidents or injuries, the safety agency said under certain conditions, an electrical short may occur and result in a fire.

Company officials said dealers will replace the wiring harnesses for the lights on both vehicles, free of charge with the recall expected to begin later this month.