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Kia’s Soul concept model offers a sporty look derived from the Mesa concept car that appeared at the 2005 Detroit motor show, with a wrap-around windscreen, sloping roofline and bulky, muscular wheel arches. It also features a separate compartment at the rear designed for storing muddy clothes or shoes.

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One of the reasons automakers build concept vehicles is to gauge the public's reaction to a new design. Apparently, the Kia Soul'ster garnered enough goodwill and interest after its debut at the Detroit Auto Show the Korean automaker is strongly considering putting the canvas-roofed Soul-amino into production. Previously, Kia's Alex Fedorak said the Tonka-mobile was created "in a fashion that was production-capable."

According to Kia-World, though the automaker isn't officially saying the Soul'ster will be mass produced, unnamed Korean magazines are reporting it's looking good and that a decision is on the way in short order. If there's any truth to the rumors, we can expect to see the little subcompact pick'em-up truck on American roads in the second half of 2010.

If you've been crossing your fingers for a production version of the Kia Soul'ster concept from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, prepare to be disappointed. According to a report from Ward's Auto, Kia says that expanding the Soul lineup beyond the current five-door hatch would prove to be more difficult than you might think. Earlier reports stated that Kia was keen to the idea of building an open-top Soul, but changing economic times seem to have crushed those plans.

The Soul has done extremely well for itself since going on sale in early 2009, but since this is a niche vehicle that would only appeal to a very narrow segment of the market, the business case for building new variants doesn't make sense at this time. Kia's director of product planning, Orth Hendrick, tells Ward's that the Soul'ster, specifically, would have to be developed as an all-new model, due to its vast structural differences from the standard Soul.

Come 2012, the Soul will undergo its mid-cycle refresh, and we're expected to see more upscale content, as well as slight changes to both the front and rear fascias. In the meantime, those of you who are super hot for a Soul'ster will just have to scan the local used car lot for a soft-top Isuzu Amigo, instead.

Kia will charge $600 more for the new, improved 2012 Soul small crossover compared with its 2011 model. The new, updated one will offer more standard features.

The new one starts at $13,900 for the base trim, excluding a $750 destination fee. It goes on sale in the fall.

All 2012s get a mildly updated exterior and interior. Outside, you'll see new bumpers and exterior lamps, including standard LED taillamps. In the cabin, the Soul gets better materials and improved sound insulation. Mechanically, all Souls get a standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel, electronic stability control and hill start assist.

Kia has improved the powertrain. Both engines will produce more power than previously stated, now generating 138 horsepower for the 1.6-liter four-cylinder and 164 hp for the 2-liter four-cylinder. Fuel economy improves to 28 miles per gallon in the city, 34 mpg on the highway for the base engine. The optional, larger engine will get 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

The 2012 Soul will be available in three trims: Soul, Soul Plus and Soul Exclaim. Apparently, there's no Sport trim for the model year. Kia says the base Soul with an automatic transmission will come in at $15,700 (for 2011 it was $15,495), and the Soul Exclaim will come in under $20,000 (it was $18,495 for 2011). The company didn't reveal any other pricing.

The 2012 model will be the first offered with the Microsoft Uvo in-car connectivity system, a rival to the Ford Sync system that was also developed with Microsoft. LED headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 4.3-inch touch-screen with backup camera and 350-watt stereo are also standard on the Exclaim.

The Soul will be among the first models from the automaker to feature start-stop technology — it is available with the Eco Package with either powertrain.

Kia Motors America (KMA) announces its first special edition Soul of 2014 with the “Red Zone” edition. Inspired by the ultra-popular Track’ster concept previously unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, the “Red Zone” edition Soul is the first special-edition based on the all-new second-generation Soul and is scheduled to go on sale during the first quarter of 2014.

“The Soul has always appealed to those who choose to express their individuality through their vehicle, and special editions have been a part of the lineup since the first-generation Soul went on sale in 2009,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “The Red Zone Soul underscores that independent spirit and brings to life many styling features from our wild Track’ster concept.”

Based on the 2014 Soul Plus, the “Red Zone” Soul exudes its own extroverted personality with White exterior paint and an aggressively styled body kit featuring red accents throughout, including treatment on the front grille, front and rear fascias, and side skirts. Custom 18-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel wells and keep the “Red Zone” Soul firmly planted on the tarmac. Power comes from Kia’s efficient 2.0-liter gasoline direct injected (GDI) four-cylinder engine which puts 164 horsepower to the ground via a six-speed automatic transmission.

The interior makeover is equally impressive with black cloth seats featuring red stitching, leather steering wheel, black-leather dash hood with red stitching, black carpeted floor mats with red piping, and sport pedals. The shift knob ring, air vent ring, dash speakers and console tray trim have all been dipped in red paint, continuing the “Red Zone” theme.

As with all previous special-edition Souls, the “Red Zone” will be offered in limited quanities. Just 2,000 examples will be available.

About the 2014 Soul

Instantly recognizable yet thoroughly fresh – with more than a passing nod to the hot Track’ster concept that was unveiled last year – the all-new 2014 Soul rides on a new chassis that is stiffer, longer and wider. The Soul’s new dimensions allow for more passenger and cargo room while NVH levels have been reduced dramatically. Increased torque and significant suspension upgrades make the 2014 Soul a nimble and agile companion in congested urban environments and inside there is a long list of standard comfort and convenience features, including Bluetooth®1 wireless technology and steering wheel-mounted controls.