Kia premiered today in Chicago their new concept, called the Track'ster, which is basically a sportier version of the Soul production model. With help from heavy-metal music, smoke and blinding lights, Kia unveiled today a concept which, we have to admit, looks pretty interesting. Tom Kearns, Chief Designer for KMA (Kia Motors America), said they wanted to give the Soul a lot more attitude, and we believe they succeeded. Just take a look at the Track'ster's interior.
The Kia Track'ster concept is not just about attitude and looks. It also has a pretty powerful engine for its size. It's a 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder engine with an output of 250 hp.
The Track'ster is equipped with a short-throw six-speed manual transmission mated to an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. A two-liter turbo engine and an AWD system on a car this size raises a question. Is Kia thinking about entering the WRC? Apart from the extra power, Kia's Track'ster also features a stiffer suspension, and a lowered ride height.
For improved stopping power, Kia equipped the Trackster with 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes with 6-piston callipers at the front and 13.6-inch discs with four-piston calipers at the rear.
At the exterior, the Track'ster features a white and orange color scheme. In comparison to the standard Soul, the Track'ster comes with a newly designed front grille, which is now made from carbon fiber, wider sculpted front-wheel arches, and a set of space-age headlights. The Track'ster also features LED daytime running lights, various air vents for cooling the engine, and a new rear bumper. It also comes with a new exhaust system, with two tailpipes (left and right).
The Kia Track'ster sits on 19-inch alloys and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. The car is five inches wider than the regular Soul and has a 101.2-inch wheelbase, which is an inch more than its sibling is.
The while and orange color scheme is continued at the interior, where the Track'ster features a sport steering wheel, additional gauges which indicate the oil temperature and battery voltage, and a large touch-screen. The rear seats of the Soul have been replaced in the Track'ster by an equipment tray and spare-tire well. You can store there everything from helmets, suits, gloves and tools to emergency supplies.
So far Kia did not announce any plans to put the Track'ster concept into production.
