Kia made sure everyone was awake during its press conference to kick off the 2014 Chicago Auto Show. The South Korean automaker, with the help of a rock band, introduced its new all-electric Kia Soul EV Watch video
CHICAGO, IL- Kia made sure everyone was awake during its press conference to kick off the 2014 Chicago Auto Show.
The South Korean automaker, with the help of a band, featured three electrified vehicles, including a refreshed Optima hybrid sedan, Niro urban lifestyle concept and all-new Kia Soul all-electric vehicle.
"Kia always goes big in Chicago and this year is no exception," said Kia Marketing chief Michael Sprague during the unveiling Thursday morning.
Officials said the aggressive concept vehicle -- featuring "butterfly" doors -- hints at a possible future B-segment contender ready to take on the city environment with style and fun-to-drive attitude, featuring a mix of contrasting materials and compact, purposeful dimensions.
As for the all-electric Soul, Kia expects the vehicle to go on sale in the third quarter of 2014. It is Kia’s first all-electric, zero-emissions car sold in the U.S. and expands the brand’s line of environmentally conscious vehicles.
The Soul EV is expected to yield a range of approximately 80-100 miles of real-world driving on a full charge, with internal testing and evaluation results exceeding 100 miles in some instances.
Kia unveils the Soul EV at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show alongside the the refreshed 2014 Optima Hybrid on stage along with the Niro hybrid conceptThe 2014 Optima Hybrid debuted with its own exclusive enhancements, including front and rear fascia updates designed to increase aerodynamic efficiency, new wheel designs, and unique grille and lighting elements.
About a dozen vehicles are expected to debut during the Chicago Auto Show’s press and social media preview days Feb. 6-7. The show is open to the public from Feb. 8-17 at Chicago’s massive McCormick Place conference center.
Tickets to the show are $6 for senior citizens and children between 7-12 years old; $12 for adults; and free for children 6 and under. For more information on tickets, visit chicagoautoshow.com.
Check back to MLive for more information.
Click here for the most recent news from the 2014 Chicago Auto Show.