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Next-gen Kia Soul EV spied

Our spy shooters recently caught the next-generation Kia Soul wearing camouflage and showing bits and pieces of its new design. Now, we've got spy shots of the next Kia Soul EV, and it's testing at the Nurburgring. Our shooter points out the spot on the grille for the charging port, as well as the "E" on the license plate, that point to this being the electric version of the Soul. And, of course, we don't see any tailpipes hanging off the back. Similar to the last shots we saw of the regular Soul, the EV gets new lighting front and rear. We see what looks like signature LED lighting strips below the actual headlights — and if the previous spy shots are any clue, this strip could extend across the entire nose. One other feature we notice is the sensor placed low in the front fascia, which could mean the new Soul EV will be equipped with adaptive cruise control, along with other active safety features. In back, the lighting starts high and curves inward like a big boomerang. It looks like Kia is trying very hard to keep the rear of the car under heavy garb, so we might expect there to be other major design changes back there. We can't see from photos any other clues about the electric powertrain, but there's a good chance the Soul EV will use a version of the Hyundai Kona Electric's running gear. For the U.S. the EPA just announced driving range of 258 miles in that vehicle, though other markets also get an entry-level version with a smaller battery. We're happy to see progress being made on the Soul EV, and are looking forward to some of that camo coming off. Loading up the suspension on the Nurburgring looks like a riot, and probably indicates testing of thermal management and the resulting performance (and losses thereof). Related Video:

Kia reveals new K3 Forte sedan in Korea [w/video]

Kia's new version of the Forte sedan has already been unveiled back in South Korea, where it's known as the K3. But while details have yet to be announced, we can expect most (if not all) of these updates to make their way to US showrooms soon. The facelifted version of the model known here as the Forte, in Korea as the K3, and elsewhere as the Cerato has a more sophisticated exterior appearance, with a larger grille, new head- and tail-lamps, and reshaped bumpers to give it a wider, more planted appearance. The interior features a sporty new flat-bottom steering wheel as well as new vents, multimedia controls, and trim. The Korean automaker has also taken the opportunity to outfit the new K3 with speed-sensitive electric power steering, lane assist, automatic park assist, and hands-free trunk opening. In its home market, the revised K3 offers 130 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. But considering that the current Forte packs more punch than that already, we wouldn't take too much stock in the KDM engine specs. The 2015 Kia Forte LX available in the US packs a 1.8-liter inline-four good for 145 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque, while the more potent Forte EX steps up to a 2.0-liter four delivering 173 hp and 154 lb-ft. The Forte nameplate was launched in the US in 2009. The current, second-generation model launched in 2013. It's currently offered as a sedan, five-door hatchback, and as the two-door Forte Koup. The closely related Kia Cee'd offered in Europe is sold as a three-door hatch, five-door hatch, or five-door wagon.

Kia Soul EV will start sales in five more states by June

The Kia Soul EV has proven itself to be enough of a hit that it will be headed to Texas and four other states by this summer. Yee-haw. The Soul EV, which started US sales in California late last year, will go on sale in the Lone Star State, as well as Georgia, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii by June. Kia says residents of those states have "expressed significant interest" in the Soul EV, and notes that those five states have more than 1,800 publicly available charging stations combined. Other states will get the Soul EV next year. The Soul EV just won the first-ever Canadian Green Car of the Year Award from journalists in the Great White North. The Soul EV, notably associated with those grooving hamsters in the TV ads, beat out the Honda Fit, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry Hybrid. The Soul EV starts at $33,700 and has a single-charge range of 93 miles and delivers 109 horsepower. We've got Kia's press release on the expanded sales areas below and our Quick Spin of the Kia Soul EV for you right here. Related Videos: KIA MOTORS AMERICA EXPANDS SOUL EV AVAILABILITY TO FIVE ADDITIONAL STATES Hot-Selling Soul Electric Vehicle Will be Available for Sale in Georgia in Q2; Oregon, Washington, Texas and Hawaii Anticipated in June Expansion into five new states underlines Kia's commitment to green mobility and its fun and funky alternative fuel vehicle Solid infrastructure and consumer demand propel Soul EV beyond California IRVINE, Calif., March 25, 2015– Following the successful launch of the Soul EV late last year in California, Kia Motors America (KMA) is proud to announce it is expanding availability of its fullycharged urban runabout into five new states: Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Electric vehicle demand has been growing in these states, and consumers there have expressed significant interest in Soul EV. And with more than 1,8001 charging stations combined, the robust EV infrastructure within these markets makes battery-powered travel convenient and an increasingly appealing choice for consumers. Within each state, select Kia retailers will be certified to sell and service the Soul EV, and customers will have access to charging stations installed at these facilities. The Soul EV-authorized Kia dealership locations will be announced closer to the Soul EV's on-sale date in the expansion states later this year. Additional markets are set to come online in 2016.