Total tease or total fulfillment? Kia sending diesel Souls to US dealers
Click above for more shots of the diesel Kia Soul arriving at Lifetime Kia
Thanks to Lifetime Kia, the world's largest Kia dealership, we've managed to assemble a gallery of Kia Soul's that have recently been shipped out to American dealers. Nothing special about that, right? Wait a minute, what's that we spot underhood? It turns out that these cars are actually Korean- and Euro-spec Souls, and every dealership is getting one to use as a demo. Let the speculation begin!
Are these cars here to gauge the reaction of US buyers? Is the Korean automaker seriously considering bringing an oil-burner to the States? Perhaps none of the above. If that's the case, this seems like a cruel thing to do since we've heard that the non-US models are actually better equipped and nicer to drive with the 128-horsepower 1.6L CRDi engine than the 2.0L gasoline-powered Souls destined for our shores, not to mention significantly more fuel efficient.
In somewhat related news, Kia is set to debut a new concept Soul at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. From the side profile (the only image released; see it after the jump), it appears that this Soul concept may sport only 2 doors. Will the impending launch of a small diesel be far behind? We can only hope. Thanks for the tip, Bryan!
Gallery: Diesel Kia Soul in the U.S.
[Source: Lifetime Kia]
Click above to enlarge
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jharlan 8:48PM (12/18/2008)
I am shopping for a car, but it's not going to be anything offered in the US now! I would seriously consider a highly efficient little diesel car like this Kia, but like many people I won't buy until they offer something I want, and whatever I buy this time is going to have to last a long time, and I don't want a 30 mpg car! I can be just as stubborn holding out for what I want as they can be with their offering of cars that are inferior to what is offered in Europe and Asia. I am seriously thinking about buying an old car and converting it to electricity.
Reply
Rich 9:34PM (12/18/2008)
I could not agree with you more. I'm thinking about the electric option. But the cost of any batteries other than lead acid is too expensive.
American Honda cust svc just told me that the Accord diesel is DOA. Maybe an Acura diesel in 2011 they say?
The VW dealer wants $26k for a diesel Jetta wagon. Absurd.
American Subaru cust svc tells me that the diesel option is "on hold" with no date.
Any manufacturers I left out that were talking diesel?
www.haytown.ath.cx
harlanx6 1:14AM (12/19/2008)
It appears that converting a car to electricity for commutes and around town chores is really a piece of cake, and kits with complete instructions are available at a very reasonable price. We don't have to the suffer the interminable wait until short and medium range EVs are available for a comparable price. I would prefer a PHEV with a small diesel kicker for extended range, but we can't have one here at any price!
David Steiner 12:22PM (12/19/2008)
There are obviously many constituencies who are impeding the advancement of diesels in the US. Proof: When was the last diesel refinery built? Why is diesel more expensive than gasoline when it is cheaper to refine? Why does Europe get all of the good small diesels?
Reply
GoodCheer 9:57AM (12/19/2008)
www.kiasoul.com does list a 1.6l engine as the base option, though it seems unlikely that the base option is the (preferable) diesel. I'll be interested to hear when we get more information.
Reply
Woodenbee 10:25AM (12/19/2008)
I hope they do bring some over, I haven't seen one of these Kia's, but like Rich says converting to EV is the way to go for commuting, I think the striking thing is how old and easy the technology is but how little the public is aware of it, good job big oil/dumb us down TV! I would love to have a workshop fixing up and converting old cars into electric cars, I think the biggest hurdle is public perception and if the people who convert cars would please work on the exterior of the car a bit first, instead of what looks like a worn out piece of junk, the public might take an interest, and when are we going to see Lithium packs available to consumers?? if the battery pack was a plug and play issue car converting would get even easier....
Reply
Horst Noordfjnk 1:33PM (12/19/2008)
I'm in the same boat as you, jharlan. I'm sitting on my pile of money until someone brings a small, entry-level diesel to the U.S. The first manufacturer to do so wins my pile of money. And I can sit on this pile of money for a very, very long time.
And no, a $26,000.00+ Jetta is not entry-level.
Reply
Richard in FL 1:51PM (12/19/2008)
Instead of wondering if Kia is going to bring a diesel over, why not take the gasoline engine out and put a diesel instead? Something like a Kabota diesel would work. It's a lot cheaper than electric. Most mechanics can do this for you for relatively less than a full EV conversion. You might be able to find a used diesel somewhere as well.
Chris 4:40PM (12/19/2008)
Heh swapping out engines isn't as easy as taking out the engine and putting a different one in. You must find an engine with the correct bolting pattern, make sure the transmission and engine match up, make sure your transmission can even handle a torque-ful diesel engine and so on. Biggest engines Kubota makes as per their website is 99 horsepower. Good luck trying to get on the freeway(the reason why Smart diesels arent in this country).