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| Motorshow line-up | 2008 British International Motor Show | Kia |
Kia is bringing together five concept cars that demonstrate the company's design development and future direction. Visitors to the British International Motor Show will see the Soul Burner, Soul Diva, Soul Searcher, Kee coupé and ex_cee'd convertible. This is the first time these cars have ever appeared together.
The Soul concepts are closely related to a new production model that will debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. The Soul Diva is a car for "a style-conscious young-at-heart woman", the Soul Searcher is "a haven of tranquillity within the urban jungle" while the Soul Burner is apparently a "bad boy" with "tattooed" bodywork.
The ex_cee'd is a four-seat convertible based on the cee'd hatchback, and although the design is similar to the cee'd, no exterior panels are shared. While Kia's latest concept, the Kee, is a compact four-seat coupé that hints at the styling of future Kias under design director Peter Schreyer - formerly of Audi.
In the words of Paul Philpott, Managing Director of Kia Motors UK, "The Soul concepts ... show how we can create individuality for a volume range. It shows that in future, buying a Kia will no longer be just a pragmatic choice, but an emotional one as well."
The next few years will see plenty of activity from Kia. Thirteen new or revised models are scheduled for launch in 2009 and 2010. At the British Motor Show an announcement will be made about a forthcoming Kia.
Along with concept cars, Kia will display vehicles from the current range. On the stand will be the cee'd Sport, cee'd SW Sport and three-door pro_cee'd.
The British International Motor Show opens to the public on 23rd July and runs to 3rd August.
John Lambert - 1 Jul 2008
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