Without doubt, the spotlights at this year's edition of the Chicago Auto Show are on the Koreans. Following the presentation of Hyundai's new Elantra GT and Coupe models, its sister company Kia has unveiled an impressive concept model for a sporty, three-door version of the Soul called the Track'ster
Of course, if you throw in a pair of round headlights and vertical tail lamps, the Track'ster could very well be a conceptual proposal for high-performance Mini model…
That's not to say the Track'ster hasn't got character but many details like the alloy wheel designs, the blacked out front pillars, the two-tone paint job and the prominent LED driving lights on the lower part of the front bumper do have a certain British flavor.
"The idea was to make the Track'ster tough looking, like a bulldog," said Tom Kearns, chief designer for Kia's Californian design studio, which was responsible for the creation of the Track'ster.
"But the car had to be approachable as well. We wanted to base the car in reality so people instantly knew it was a Soul, but with a lot of attitude. It had to be a bold interpretation that would change people's conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be," Kearns added.
Other notable highlights include the heavily beefed up wheel arches to cover up the 245/40-19-inch front and massive 285/35-19-inch rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 high-performance tires, while the concept's wheelbase is stretched to 101.2 inches, almost an inch longer than the production Soul. The car's width stands at 75.5-inch width, which is more than five inches wider than the regular five-door Soul.
Inside, Kia's designers opted for a two-seat layout with a new dashboard design and the usual futuristic trim you find on concept models.
Under the hood, you'll find Hyundai and Kia's 2.0-liter turbocharged four rated at 250-horsepower and linked to a short-throw six-speed manual transmission. Surprisingly, Kia fitted the Soul-based concept with an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system.
The Track'ster rides on a lowered sports suspension and features 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes with by six-piston calipers in front and 13.6-inch discs paired with four-piston calipers at the rear.
Kia says that it has no current plans to produce the Track'ster, but we wouldn't be surprised if the company decides otherwise in the very near future.
14 Comments:
This actually looks kind of cool. I like it!!
"no current plans to produce the Track'ster" are they nuts; get it out quick and simple
Nice! Do it!
The current model of Soul that you can buy off the showroom floor sucks with it comes to styling. This model has exceptional styling and would easily sell to customers. This is how the Soul should have been styled to begin with.
whoa - i wasn't expecting too much from the sketches, this thing looks amazing!
250hp 2.0T + all wheel drive + 6 speed Manual = winner!
how cool is that..
I agree. They are on a roll! The big guns need a fall back position. Complacency can kill! Take heed.
with those looks, ponies and drivetrain this thing would be a winner.
I agree the current Soul lost its Soul when it came to production. This is awesome design, really really nice. Just build it LIKE THAT! Dont tone it down like they did with Soul, and suffer slow sales as a result...
Finally...something interesting again.
Please don't neuter it with tiny tires and no turbo.
Knock Out! Do it.
Get it out!! First thing i thought: Future WRC car if it ever goes into production? Seems the perfect fit. Probably not an accident though, they must have had that in mind.
Very cool looking, I would buy one of these over a Mini on looks alone any day. Add four-wheel-drive, wide wheels and fat tires, plus a turbocharged engine, and you've got something very very appealing going on there.
i like so so much kia cars
Kia For
Sale
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