Kia Motors unveiled the all-new Kia Soul – its most significant-ever model – at the 2008 Paris Mondial de l’Automobile pointing clearly at a design-led future for the brand.

The segment-busting Kia Soul defies classification and traditional appeal providing a stylish yet flexible alternative for urban motorists who want the opportunity to go against traditional trends at a time when global economic doom-mongers are urging consolidation and conservatism.

Conceived in the United States but developed in Korea and Europe under the leadership of Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer the compact but capacious Kia Soul will arrive in the UK next Spring and is set to offer hard-pressed motorists with a reason to be optimistic.

Building on Kia’s traditional virtues of quality and value the Kia Soul will appeal to anyone with a more rebellious nature who is determined to stand out from the crowd but also wants to watch the domestic budget. Kia Soul has the aggressive and stylish appearance of a much larger 4×4-type vehicle but its 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engine options, developed from the units available in Kia’s cee’d family, will deliver excellent fuel economy and low running-costs.

Paul Philpott, Managing Director of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said: “Everyone knows that economic times are hard but Kia Soul is the perfect response for those who want to lift their spirits – it’s blend of innovative packaging and individuality will not come at premium prices.

“Soul will come with an excellent comfort and convenience equipment list plus the opportunity for personalisation in a variety of ways – but I am determined it’s list price will be realistic at a time when every household budget is looking to cut back on frivolities and fantasy.

“And Soul shows clearly the way we intend to move forward – with outstanding design and eye-catching appeal coupled with excellent quality and reliability. This car really does mark the start of a new chapter in Kia’s remarkable story,” he added.

Kia Soul customers in Europe will be offered a choice of 126 ps diesel or 126 ps petrol engines, based closely on the 1.6-litre units produced for the successful Kia cee’d model made in Slovakia.

Kia Soul acceleration times to 62mph range from 10.4 to 11.3 seconds and fuel consumption spreads over a 5.1 to 6.6 litres/100 km span, while CO2 figures vary between 137 and 159 g/km for European models.

Kia Soul cars supplied to the majority of countries in Western Europe and all of North America will be fitted with six airbags, four disc brakes and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as standard.

Every Kia Soul in Europe will be equipped with a factory-fit RDS radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility, plus six audio speakers, a 112 watts output, innovative PowerBass technology and a roof-top antenna. An upgraded sound system – complete with ‘Sound Sensitive Mood Lighting’, a 315 watts output, a large dash-top centre speaker, external amplifier and a sub-woofer in the trunk for a total of eight speakers – can be specified.

Maximum driving fun with minimal fuel consumption: This is the standard by which Volkswagen is starting the new car year 2009 and is presenting the roadster Concept BlueSport at the North American International Auto Show. “The BlueSport proves to be a compact and passionate car with a clear Volkswagen signature. The car offers pure dynamics with a powerful 180 PS Clean Diesel engine that is combined with the characteristic Volkswagen philosophy of efficiency,” confirmed Volkswagen’s Chairman of the Board, Prof. Martin Winterkorn in Detroit.

The Concept BlueSport is making its appearance at the car show in Detroit with a Flex Silver exterior and orange fabric convertible top. “It is the symbiosis of outstanding technology and timeless Volkswagen design that makes this car an exceptional sports car. Its styling is clear and is reduced to the essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure”, explains Volkswagen chief designer Walter de Silva. The interior shows finesse in details and conveys a high level of technological fascination. Immediately visible to the eye is the intuitive and easy to operate touchscreen. Perfectly adapted to the interior are the leather upholstered seats in lightweight construction with their single-piece seatbacks.

Behind the two sport seats of the 3.99 meter long Concept BlueSport, a 132 kW / 180 PS strong Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter delivers dynamic performance. A 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission – the most economical and agile transmission system in the world – transfers power to the rear wheels. In just 6.6 seconds the sports car is moving at 100 km/h; its top speed is 226 km/h. Also having a positive impact on the car’s low fuel consumption of just 4.3 l/100 km and reduced emissions are two technologies that are part of the so-called Eco mode: an automatic start-stop system and energy regeneration. Together they propel the Concept BlueSport to an additional fuel savings of up to 0.2 liter per 100 kilometers in city driving.

The 2009 G37 Convertible will be inspired by the 2008 Coupe version; this means it will combine the same exhilarating performance, stunning styling and modern, sporty interior of the original Infiniti G Coupe.

Under the hood of the Convertible version we will see a 3.7 liter V6 engine with an output of 330 hp and a peak torque of 269 lbs-ft. The engine will be matted with a a choice of an upgraded electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, downshift rev matching, DS mode and ASC (Adaptive Shift Control) that allows for quicker shifts in sporty driving situations and available genuine magnesium paddle shifters; or a newly revised, lightweight 6-speed manual transmission.

The G37 Convertible will be build on the FM (Front Mid-ship) platform, which has been stiffened 36% from the previous generation, is lower in overall height and has a wider front and rear track width.

Also there are rumors that Infiniti is working on a more powerful version of the G37: an all-wheel drive, twin-turbocharged version that will have an output of 500 hp. This mean that the 2009 G37 will be even more powerful like a GT-R. So, it will reach at least a top speed of 185 mph and the 0 to 60 mph sprint will be made in less than 4 seconds.

Like the Coupe, the Convertible version will be offered in three different versions: standard, Journey and Sport. The most powerful, and of course the most expensive will be the the Sport version. It will feature 19″ wheels, Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD), sport-tuned suspension, sport brakes, unique front fascia and side sills, sport-styled seats and steering wheel stitching.

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History

Nissan 300ZX Convertible

Nissan unveiled the 300ZX or the Fairlady Z in 1983. It stayed into production until 2000 and was build with two different: the Z31 and the Z32 (same used in the Z-series).

The Z31 chassis was designed after the previous Z-car, the Nissan 280ZX, but it was featuring a new, more aerodynamic body than the previous 280ZX.

It was powered by either a naturally-aspirated or a turbocharged V6 producing 160 hp and 200 hp respectively.

In 1986 Nissan added side skirts and replaced the fiberglass spoiler with a durable plastic one; the 300ZX was given a much sleeker look when the hood scoop was removed. A third brake-light was also added to the interior of the unit for safety.

The convertible version was available only in the Z32 series. It was unveiled in 1993 and lasted until the end of the 300ZX. It was powered by a 3.0-liter V6 that produced 222 hp 6400 rpm and 198 pound-feet of torque 4800 rpm. Power was applied to the rear wheels through a standard five-speed transmission and limited-slip differential. A four-speed automatic was optional.

300ZX was also available in Turbo version. It was powered by a modified version of the V6 engine. Thanks to intercooling and a single turbo for each cylinder bank, it produced 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.