- Distinctive compact SUV receives renowned 'iF product design award' ahead of market launch Award jury praises 'transformation of design making Kia desirable'
- Kia Soul on sales on North America and due to go on sale across Europe in March
SEOUL, Jan. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The new Kia Soul, which celebrated its European premiere at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt in 2013, has been awarded the 'iF Product Design Award'.
In securing the prestigious iF design accolade, the second generation of the cult compact SUV - which is already on sale in North America and will go on sale across Europe in March - continues the award-winning ways of its predecessor.
In 2009, the original Kia Soul was the first car by a Korean brand to receive the distinguished 'red dot design award'. Since then, a total of 16 design prizes have been awarded to Kia models between these two design organisations.
With a distinctive design, the Kia Soul has many fans all around the globe: since the end of 2008, more than 760,000 people have purchased the first-generation model.
The new Kia Soul was created by the Kia design team under the supervision of Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Company. Many of the design elements of the muscular Kia Track'ster concept (presented at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show) are incorporated in the second-generation Kia Soul and characterise its modern design - although it is still recognisable as Kia's iconic compact SUV.
"The great challenge we faced when designing the second model generation was to preserve the strong, individual character that made the Kia Soul so successful, and at the same time give the design new impulses", says Peter Schreyer. "That is why I am so pleased about this prize, because it proves how impressively our design team has performed this task. The new Kia Soul is a lot more mature in appearance, and the bold, distinctive personality of this model is highlighted even more."
New platform, improved driving dynamics - and scope for individual design
Despite the similarity in appearance to the original Kia Soul, the second -generation model is a completely new car. None of the exterior body panels are carried over, and the spacious interior has also been completely redesigned. It gives the occupants even more leg and head room, uses more high quality materials and offers a comprehensive range of comfort features.
New Soul also excels in its low noise level and refinement. One of the factors behind the car's many improvements is the new platform, which is similar to that of the Kia cee'd and which gives the new Kia Soul noticeably improved driving dynamics. For the European market, there is a choice of two modern 1.6-litre engines; a gasoline direct injection (132 PS / 97 kW) and a turbodiesel (128 PS / 94 kW).
Like its predecessor, the new Kia Soul offers a wide range of customisation options. Depending on the trim level and optional equipment, these include, for example, a choice of different interior colour schemes. The new Soul is also the first Kia model for which the roof can be ordered in a contrasting colour, while a new SUV Styling Pack (available in Europe and general markets*) - featured on the iF design award-winning car - introduces distinctive piano black bumper garnish, side skirts, wheel arches and a black painted roof.
The iF product design award
Since it was launched in 1953, the annual iF product design award has been one of the world's most important prizes for excellence in design. The award has its origins in the 'Formgerechte Industrieerzeugnisse' (Good Industrial Design) product shows initiated by Hannover Messe and is now one of the world's largest design competitions. The iF design award now includes two further competitions (the iF communication design award and iF packaging design award).
In 2014, companies from 55 countries participated in the iF design award, submitting 3,249 designs in 17 categories to the iF product design award, which is by far the largest of the three iF competitions. The new Kia Soul was honoured in the 'Transportation Design' category.
The official presentation ceremony for the 2014 iF product design awards will take place on 28 February 2014 in Munich during the 'Munich Creative Business Week'. All the winning products will be on display for the first time at the new iF design exhibition in Hamburg's HafenCity. Additionally, all winners can be seen on the website www.ifdesign.de and can now also be viewed with the new iF design smartphone app.
Editor's note:
* 'General markets' include the regions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia (excluding China and Korea), the Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) - a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart - was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA - the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan - "The Power to Surprise" - represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.
Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca - www.facebook.com/kiacanada) a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) which was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality, class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 184 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 161 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada, with an all-new state-of-the-art facility in Montreal. Kia's brand slogan "The Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting & inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.
SOURCE: KIA Canada Inc.
Jack Sulymka
National Public Relations and Corporate Partnerships Manager
Kia Canada Inc.
T: 905-755-6266
C: 905-301-6207
E: [email protected]
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