Hoovey689

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Rumormill: Kia planning Mazda MX-5 fighter, all-wheel-drive Soul

Kia is seriously considering adding a two-seat droptop along the lines of Mazda's MX-5 to its portfolio. European CEO Paul Philpott has stated that the automaker will expand and enhance its volume offerings during 2011 and 2012, but that a roadster could be in the cards shortly thereafter.

Philpott is not alone in his desires for a Kia sports car. Paul Schreyer, Kia's Chief Designer, believes that the Korean automaker needs a truly sporty vehicle in the lineup (sorry, Forte Koup).

UK-based magazine Auto Express has put together a rendering of such a vehicle, and it clearly draws heavily from the Pontiac Solstice. However, it should be noted that the idea of a sports car in the lineup is not a totally foreign concept. From 1995 through 1999, Kia held licensing rights to the Lotus Elan and produced the Kia Elan for the Korean Market.

Kia is also reportedly working on a small, all-wheel-drive vehicle to slot below the Sportage. The Soul is due for a revamp within the next two years, so it makes sense that the funky hatchback could get all-wheel drive as part of its overhaul.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/25/r...el-drive-soul/

mmarshall

Thanks. Great post. I thought that the Soul should have had an AWD option from the beginning (and its interior, IMO, actually looks better than that of the somewhat more-expensive Sportage). My brother has a Soul he bought brand-new last July that he loves, and he got through this past winter OK with its FWD, though we didn't get that much snow or ice this year, so it wasn't really a supreme test.

Kia may come up with a sports car car that rivals the Miata in looks, size, and maybe price, but the question will be if they can do a two-seat roadster that drives as well? The Miata is one of the world's all-time classic affordable roadsters, and has had a long-standing reputation as a responsive-handling Drivers' Car (for those who can fit in it)