Report: The Kia Soul could get a boost in soul with a turbo and AWD

The Kia Soul is a very sweet deal for the value subcompact crossover that it is, but to make things possibly more interesting, Kia could be boosting some more soul into the Soul with a turbocharger and even all-wheel drive, according to Automobile Magazine.

The turbo would take form as a high-performance version of the Soul, thanks to the same 1.6L turbo four-banger in the current Kia Forte, good for a not too shabby 201bhp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The new turboed Soul should also get sportier suspension and brakes to cope with the extra boost.

As for the all-wheel drive version, not much is particularly known–though being a crossover, the lack of all-wheel drive probably keeps sales from truly skyrocketing, since the all-wheel traction drivetrain is just as high on demand and popular as the crossover itself. Plus, being a crossover, all-wheel drive is in many ways expected.

There’s no particular time frame in mind, but a prediction within the next few years shouldn’t be too unreasonable.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Automobile Magazine