Kia Readying a Facelift for the 2012 Soul

It appears that the Soul is the next vehicle in Kia’s list to receive an update. Caught here in testing in Germany by our spy photographers, the bagged-up ends do their job to hide the Soul’s stylistic upgrades with the only visible change being the redesigned exterior mirrors that house the turning lights.

However, it is expected that the Soul will take some cues from the new Picanto and Rio hatchbacks (both of which were revealed at the Geneva Motor Show) such as the pulled back headlamps and more pronounced bumpers. An interior rework may also be in the cards.

Currently, the Soul is offered in the States with two gasoline engines, a 1.6-liter unit with 122HP and a 2.0-liter delivering 142HP. In Europe, engine choices include a 1.6-liter turbo diesel with 126HP and a 1.6-liter petrol producing 124HP.

From what we’ve heard, there’s a good chance that in both regions, Kia will replace the standard 1.6-liter gasoline unit with the Veloster’s all-new 1.6-liter four-pot featuring direct-injection technology and an output of 138HP and 123 lb.-ft. at 4,850 rpm. Europe may also get the Hyundai-Kia Group’s newer 1.7-liter turbo diesel unit, offered in two states of tune.

PHOTO GALLERY