Local dealership Loughborough Kia recently hosted a visit from a very rare guest – a unique Kia Soul designed exclusively by Jeff Banks for fashion retailer Matalan. The one-of-a-kind car was styled by the celebrated designer for an in-store competition that Matalan will be launching to its customers in the winter.

The ‘Unwrap a car for Christmas’ promotion will run from November 16th to 24th December within all 200+ Matalan stores around the country. The promotion with Kia is exclusively available to Matalan Reward Card holders who swipe their card when they purchase in store or online. Reward Cards are free and available in all stores so you can pick one up next time you visit your local Matalan.

Remodelled from the stylish Kia Soul Samba – already a head-turning vision in bright Tornado Red – international designer Jeff Banks was inspired by its bold personality and wanted to adapt the model one step further. He added red alloy wheels, racing seats and an in-car cinema system, complementing its existing sound system with red LED mood lighting. Jeff Banks’ crest features on the roof of the car, plus his autograph on the tailgate.

“The car looks absolutely amazing – very inspiring,” commented Cliff Johnson, Dealer Principal, Loughborough Kia. “One of Soul’s main benefits is the fact that it can be customised to suit its owner. There are many packages available from Kia with all sorts of design options so that anyone can customise their Soul to reflect their personality.”

Starting at only £10,775, Soul’s appeal is more than just its looks. And, with a host of options and accessory packs available, customers can tailor their Soul exactly as they wish. Individual options vary from interior and exterior items, including leather seats, body styling kits, a selection of decals and carpet mats.

A number of personalisation packs are available from Loughborough Kia. For further information about the Kia Soul, head to Loughborough Kia at 177 Leicester Road, Moutsorrel, Leicester LE12 70B or call the team on 0116 230 3055.

About the Kia Soul:

The Soul, launched in March this year, builds on Kia’s traditional virtues of both quality and value, with the stylish appearance of an urban crossover and excellent running costs. The 1.6 litre petrol and diesel models come with six airbags, disc brakes, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) plus air conditioning, MP3 compatible radio / CD player and remote central locking.

Style pack
Exclusively available in high-gloss piano black, this styling kit will add a touch of style to any Soul. This pack is available for most models in the Soul range and comprises:

• Wheel arch extensions

• Side sill cappings

• Rear tailgate spoiler

• Supplied and fitted cost – £1,000

Chrome pack
This is an exterior styling pack which will add individuality to any Soul. It comprises;

• Front fog lamp bezels

• Enhanced side-repeater ‘grilles’

• Rear light cluster bezels

• Door sill scuff plates

• Rear bumper trim

• Supplied and fitted cost – £500

Racing stripe
Inspired by the ‘old school cool’ racing stripes of days gone by, this off-centre stripe kit is made up of one thick and one thin stripe. Also included is a set of four, high quality carpet mats with Soul inspired stripes.

• One set of ‘Racing’ stripes

• Stripes available in black, gun metal grey and white

• One set of ‘Step’ floor mats in grey

• Supplied and fitted cost – £150

Step 1
A ‘stepped’ racing stripe which flows across the bonnet and rear bumper and echoes design elements from the grille. This also comes with a set of matching, ‘step’ trimmed high-quality carpet mats.

• One set of ‘Step’ centre stripes

• Stripes available in black, gun metal grey and white

• One set of ‘Step’ floor mats in grey

• Supplied and fitted cost – £150

Step 2
A ‘stepped’ racing stripe which sits along the lower edge of the doors. Like ‘Step 1’ this echoes design elements from the grille. This also comes with the same matching ‘step’ trimmed high-quality carpet mats.

• One set of ‘Step’ lower door stripes

• Stripes available in black, gun metal grey and white

• One set of ‘Step’ floor mats in grey

• Supplied and fitted cost – £150

Step 3
This pack combines ‘Step 1’ and ‘Step 2’ to create an overall look for Soul. It fully comprises;

• One set of ‘Step’ centre stripes

• One set of ‘Step’ lower door stripes

• Stripes available in black, gun metal grey and white

• One set of ‘Step’ floor mats in grey

• Supplied and fitted cost – £250

Dragon pack
Kia is keen to emphasise the close links between the Soul concept cars and the final production version and the inclusion of this Dragon pack underlines those links perfectly. Taken directly from the Soul Burner concept car which starred at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, this Dragon decal gives Soul a unique, street-ready style that is unmistakable.

• Full body ‘dragon’ decal in gun-metal grey

• One small ‘dragon’ decal on the rear quarter in gun-metal grey

• One set of ‘Dragon tail’ floor mats in grey

• Supplied and fitted cost – £250