DailyTech - Quick Note: Kia Soul EV Set for 2014

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Auto Quick Note: Kia Soul EV Set for 2014
Tiffany Kaiser - October 9, 2012 7:41 AM

10 comment(s) - last by FredEx.. on Oct 11 at 8:46 AM

A disguised 2014 Kia Soul on the road (Source: blogspot.com)

The automaker's first EV will be based on the next-generation Kia Soul

Kia is set to become an electric vehicle (EV) maker for the first time with an upcoming all-electric vehicle in 2014.

Not many details are known about Kia's first EV other than the fact that it will be based on the next-generation Kia Soul, and that it will be released in 2014.

According to AutoCar, the next-generation Kia Soul is set to debut sometime next year at either the Chicago or New York auto shows, but won't be released until 2014 as well. The new Kia Soul is expected to have a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for 164 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque.

An EV based on the Soul isn't Kia's first plunge into greener autos. The automaker also released its first petrol-electric hybrid -- the midsize Optima HEV -- in the U.S. and South Korea nearly two years ago, but the model was just recently released in Europe. It has a 148 horsepower Atkinson cycle petrol engine, a 39 horsepower electric motor and a lithium-polymer battery pack.

Source: AutoCar

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By Dr of crap on 10/9/2012 8:18:20 AM , Rating: 2

These guys shold take a hint from sales and NOT come out with an EV that won't sell. But I guess you have to have one so that you can say you have the tech and can make such a vehicle if needed.

Had a Volt pass me yesterday - yep it was speeding, - kind of defeats the purpose of having the Volt doesn't it.

RE: So

By othercents on 10/9/2012 9:33:02 AM , Rating: 2

One of the things to understand is the CAFE standards. In the past Oldsmobile came out with a diesel engine V6 for their Oldsmobile Cutlas. This wasn't because this would be a great selling car, but more because it would increase the fuel efficiency of the fleet of cars that GM sold allowing them to meet the CAFE standards. Even if the EV is unsuccessful vehicle the car company might spend less developing the EV then what it would cost them if they didn't meet the CAFE standards.

quote:
Had a Volt pass me yesterday - yep it was speeding, - kind of defeats the purpose of having the Volt doesn't it.

Actually not if the Volt owner only drives 30 miles per charge. Still getting better fuel economy.

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RE: So

By GotThumbs on 10/9/2012 10:12:34 AM , Rating: 2

My brother actually owned one of those diesel Olds. He loved the fuel economy he got with it. Diesels have gotten better and not appearing as a "diesel" car these days.

I have a diesel truck (Cummins straight six) and I average 24-26 MPG each tank.

CAFE standards IS 99% of the reasons for this and more that will be coming down the road from other brands. Its not that they even expect to sell thousands of these...its just to meet the CAFE standards.

Businesses will find ways to work around the regs and be profitable, regardless of blocks put in its way by big government.

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RE: So

By GotThumbs on 10/9/2012 10:15:52 AM , Rating: 2

I'm not saying that the EV concept is bad, but I think there are many more innovative solutions out there.

These kind of models are temporary pacifiers.

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RE: So

By Mint on 10/9/2012 11:19:17 AM , Rating: 2

Diesel isn't a solution either:
http://www.caranddriver.com/columns/csaba-csere-sh...
We're almost maximizing the amount of diesel we can get from the oil we consume.

PHEV will become cheaper than gas/diesel over its life time. It's basically there already. The longer we delay EV production (e.g. just letting the free market decide), the longer it will take for prices to hit and pass cost parity; moreover, it would be waving the white flag and letting China become the dominant producer of batteries and EVs.

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RE: So

By SigmundEXactos on 10/9/2012 10:35:57 AM , Rating: 2

It's worth repeating that EPA mileage and how CAFE mileage are calculated are very different. EPA's mileage is calculated based on actual driving conditions (now). CAFE is using a calculated mileage based on some complex set of variables. So a car that gets 20MPG CAFE gets about 13MPG EPA (and presumably in real life). Also, MPG's aren't linear, so moving from 20MPG to 30MPG is a lot harder than 30MPG to 40MPG (a much smaller actual gain in fuel consumption)

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RE: So

By Mint on 10/9/2012 11:00:58 AM , Rating: 2

20MPG to 30MPG saves more fuel than 30MPH to 40MPG, but the latter is harder to achieve as it's closer to the what's physically possible.

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RE: So

By Dr of crap on 10/9/2012 12:47:28 PM , Rating: 3

Sorry I should have said freeway speeds and this Volt was doing at least 65mph. I don't believe the batteries will be the only power source at that speed for the 5 miles I saw the car on the freeway.

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RE: So

By KenLand on 10/10/2012 12:00:01 PM , Rating: 2

I often drive 70-80 (with the flow of the traffic) in our Volt and our lifetime average is over 97 MPG. I also typically leave every car sitting still at every stoplight. (I always put the Volt in SPORT MODE)

Electric propulsion rewrites the rules....

Watch this Tesla Model S race a BMW M5...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...

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