For the first time in the UK, Kia is offering a 39.2kWh battery pack in the Soul EV ‘Urban’, with a maximum (WLTP Combined) range of 171 miles, or up to 252 miles in a city setting. It can take just 54 minutes to recharge the battery pack from 0-80 per cent using an 80kW rapid charger, while a 7.2kW home charger will replenish the battery from 0-100 per cent in 6 hours and 10 minutes. For owners without a dedicated home charger, a domestic plug socket can recharge the Soul EV from 0-100 per cent in 18 hours. The car is powered by a 100kW (134bhp) electric motor, producing a maximum torque of 395Nm.The ‘Urban’ model is mated to a single-speed automatic transmission and can achieve a top speed of 97mph, with a 0-62mph acceleration figure of 9.9 seconds.
The anticipated best-seller in the line-up is the 64kWh ‘Explore’ grade, featuring SUV-inspired design cues. With a (WLTP Combined) driving range of 280 miles, up to 402 miles is possible when driven in the city, making the best use of the Soul EV’s flexible regenerative braking system that can be altered using the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. By visiting an 80kW rapid charger, the Soul EV ‘Explore’ can be recharged 0-80 per cent in the same 54 minutes as the ‘Urban’ model, despite the battery being 63 per cent larger. Plug in the ‘Explore’ at home with a 7.2kW charger and the battery can be easily replenished overnight from 0-100 per cent in 9 hours and 35 minutes, while a domestic charger will take 29 hours to recharge 0-100 per cent. This grade is powered by a 150kW (201bhp) electric motor with a maximum torque of 395Nm, enabling a top speed of 104mph, with a 7.9 second acceleration dash from 0-62mph
For the first time, the Soul EV is offered with a two-version model line-up, with ‘Urban’ specification equipped with the 39.2kWh ‘medium range’ battery, and ‘Explore’ specification equipped with a 64kWh ‘long range’ battery.