Kia announced details of the revised 2012 Soul for the British market. It starts at £12,495.

The new Soul comes with the firm’s new 1.6-litre petrol engine with direct-injection and a six-speed gearbox on all models. So this urban crossover as Kia calls it offers higher efficiency and lower emissions. As for the trinms, it comes as Soul 1 and Soul 2, and two ‘Soul Originals’, the Hunter and Quantum.

Styling-wise, the car’s revised in places such as the grilles, lights, front bodywork and wheels. A new bumper with a wider, lower air intake changes the proportions of the car and gives it a wider stance, and the grilles are now set off with cubic effect inserts which give it a more premium look. The new front grille is reflected at the rear, where a large tusk-shaped section in the bumper helps to visually stretch the width of the car.

To go more in details, Soul 1 now has body-coloured door handles and mirrors and a top-tinted windscreen, while Soul 2 gains muscular surrounds around its front foglights, 16-inch alloy wheels and folding electric door mirrors containing stylish indicator repeaters.

All versions are 15mm longer than before to accommodate the new powertrains under the bonnet.

The interior is remarkably enhanced as well. The upholstery in Soul 1 continues to be stylish all-black cloth, while Soul 2 has a new design of luminous ‘Soul Shine’ cloth. Soul Hunter is trimmed in either black or beige, depending on the exterior colour specified, with matching tartan colour trim that adds a charming and fun flavour to the interior.  Soul Quantum is trimmed in luxurious black leather. At the end of the day, it has that funky and cool design.

Soul comes as standard with electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD).  ESC intervenes to prevent skids by braking one or more wheels, reducing engine power or both if sensors detect the car may be in danger of going out of control.  EBD, meanwhile, automatically ensures that stopping power is directed to the four wheels in such a way as to ensure the car is brought to a halt in the shortest possible distance. For 2012 these safety measures have been supplemented by Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)

Kia Soul – Performance and Economy figures

Kia Soul – Pricing