South Korean automobile manufacturer Kia Motors has started production of the new all-electric version of the Kia Soul vehicles, which will go for sale in overseas markets during the second half of 2014.
Kia Soul EV will represent the company's first electrically-driven, zero-emissions family car to be marketed outside Korea.
The vehicle will be powered by an 81.4kW motor which produces 285Nm of torque while deriving power from a high-capacity 27kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack.
Soul EV is said to offer a transit range of over 200km on a single charge with rapid acceleration of 0-100kmph in 12secs and a top speed of about 145kmph.
Kia Motors executive vice president and COO Thomas Oh said the new Soul EV will be at the forefront of the company's new 'Clean Mobility' program to provide environmentally-friendly transport to its customers around the world when it goes on sale globally next year.
"Although it is Kia's first globally-sold all-electric vehicle, the Soul EV is our second-generation battery electric vehicle and significantly benefits from our in-depth experience gained from development of the Ray EV and proven daily operations of the Ray EV fleet for the past three years," Oh added.
The new vehicle features regenerative braking that captures and recycles energy generated while the car is coasting and braking, in order to maximize efficiency and potential range of the EV.
According to the company, the car has a recharging time of about five hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 240v or 230v household outlet.
Image: Soul EV in mass production. Photo: Courtesy of KIA MOTORS CORP.
