The Kia Soul Inferno is the latest characterful addition to the Soul ‘Originals’ line-up offering a distinctly fiery personality and very high specification level. The Soul Inferno joins its ‘Originals’ stable-mates – Hunter and Quantum – at the top of the recently-revised Soul range and is available to order now from Kia dealerships priced at £18,695 on-the-road.
First introduced in UK in 2009, the popular ‘Originals’ models are conceived in the spirit of a fashion collection – being frequently updated with distinct styles and personalities.
Soul Inferno gets a striking exterior look from its Tornado Red paintwork, tattoo-style dark red dragon body graphics, rear spoiler, silver roof rails and unique 18-inch ‘Black Petal’ alloy wheels. This is enhanced by privacy glass on rear windows along with black bezel projection headlights, LED daytime running lights, black high-gloss door mirrors and bumper inserts.
The red and black colour scheme continues on the inside where full black leather upholstery is contrasted with a red leather gearshift and mood lighting in the doors.
Soul Inferno’s comprehensive specification includes automatic air-conditioning, cruise control, heated front seats, electric folding and heated mirrors and all-round electric windows. iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, a Radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility, and USB/AUX slots provide the inputs for the external amplifier to power the eight-speaker hi-i system that includes a boot-mounted subwoofer. A smart key with start/stop button and rear parking sensors provide additional driver convenience.
Soul Inferno receives the same comprehensive package of safety measures as the rest of the 2012 Soul range. Electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), vehicle stability management (VSM) and hill-start assist control (HAC) provide a comprehensive level of active safety whilst twin front, side and curtain airbags provide occupants with a reassuring level of passive safety.
Powered by a 1.6 CRDi 126bhp turbo-diesel engine, and mated to a six-speed manual transmission, Soul Inferno delivers 126bhp at 4,000rpm and 192 lb/ft torque from 1,900rpm to 2,750rpm. Top speed is 112mph and the 0-60mph dash is dispatched in 10.3 seconds.
Despite this performance CO2 emissions are just 129g/km – putting the car in VED Band D with no-cost Road Fund Licence in year one – and the official combined cycle fuel economy is 57.6mpg. The Soul Inferno is rated in insurance group 19 and has service intervals of 12 months or 12,500 miles. As with all new Kias, the Soul Inferno comes with a fully-transferable seven year warranty.
