Kia shows its Soul in London

London Motor Show 2008 Hitherto Kia has been a purveyor of cheap conveyances, but with its forthcoming Soul there'll be a dash of flair on the menu too.

We wouldn't bat an eyelid if the million dollar question on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? was: "Which of these isn't the name of a Kia small car? A. Spectra B. Rio C. Mentor D. Forgettable". Because even though the answer is D, they were all pretty forgettable, especially in terms of style.

The Kia Soul, which is due in most markets sometime in 2009, aims to rectify this situation; its chunky lines hint at an off-roader that's only meant to see tarmac. At about 4m long, it is sized between Toyota's Yaris and Corolla.