As well as confirming that the production version of the Soul will retain the same name as the concept, Kia has released the first official photograph of its compact 5-door crossover that will be officially revealed at the Paris Motor Show this fall. The Soul was first seen as a concept at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit while this past March, Kia revealed a trio of concept developments at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.
Kia hasn’t released any details on the crossover’s mechanics, but expect it be offered with a variety of small 4-cylinder petrol and in Europe, diesel engines. Production of the Scion-esque Soul will begin in Korea in September 2008 with sales in Europe, the U.S. and other markets expected to start from early 2009.