“Timing is everything” is an age-old adage that often rings true. In 2010, timing was definitely on Kia Motors’ side. With a stale reputation of being the manufacturer of inexpensive vehicles, Kia had been behind the scenes in the sport compact community for years. With the recent release of the Soul however, Kia has completely revamped its image. With that being said, the 2010 Kia Soul couldn’t have come at a better time for Kia Motors.
Adding to a growing lineup of box-shaped economy vehicles such as the Honda Element, Nissan Cube and Scion xB, the Kia Soul brings with it a unique style and plentiful list of features. The Soul, designed in Kia’s California-based Design Center, blends a combination of boxy shape and curvy bodylines to create an unusually attractive vehicle. In addition, the Soul is available with a slew of enthusiast “must-haves” such as steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth hands-free compatibility, auxiliary input jacks and much more.
One aspect of the Kia Soul that has left enthusiasts wanting more however is in the horsepower department. In an attempt to remedy this issue, Kia has offered the Soul with the choice of either an economical 1.6-liter engine or a more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant. For horsepower-hungry enthusiasts that sprang for the 2.0-liter equipped Soul, even more horsepower is now available with the release of AEM‘s Axle-Back Exhaust System (part number: 600-0100).
With many criteria in mind, AEM‘s engineers tested several iterations of exhaust systems for the Kia Soul during the research and development stages. As data was collected and development continued, an axle-back version proved to offer the best combination of performance, sound and style. In this configuration, AEM concluded that 409 stainless steel tubing in a 2.5-inch diameter should be used to channel exhaust gases to a 304 stainless steel AEM muffler. From the high-flow muffler, a brushed stainless steel exhaust tip was welded with precision to mount in the factory exhaust exit location of the Soul’s rear bumper.
The new AEM Axle-Back Exhaust System for the Soul accents the Kia’s unique style appropriately. The system delivers a sporty sound while maintaining a comfortable drone-free cabin environment. On the dyno, the 600-0100 exhaust also enhances the Soul’s performance with additional horsepower and torque. A two horsepower increase was recorded at 5,500 RPM with the exhaust installed. Peak horsepower also realized an increase from 109 to 110 horsepower. Torque figures were increased by two ft/lb at 4,400 RPM as well. Additionally, peak torque increased from 106 to 107 ft/lb with the exhaust system in place. For an even bigger performance gain, AEM offers a Cold Air Intake System for the 2.0-liter Soul (part number: 21-691) that has been designed to complement the exhaust system. Testing of the air intake system revealed an increase of 6.67 horsepower at 6,500 RPM. The 21-691 cold air intake kit is available in either a polished finish (part number: 21-691P) or in a gunmetal gray finish (part number: 21-691C).
For more information call “1-800-997-TINT”