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New Models
AUTOS: Kia’s Hot Track’ster Concept
Widened and turbocharged, the Soul-based performance car is unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show.
The two-door, turbocharged Kia Track'ster concept could preview a performance Soul production model. (Photo: Kia)
With the Soul, xKia already has one of the most distinctive small-car designs on the market. But what if you were to chop a couple of doors, widen the body, install a turbocharged engine and add all sorts of other upgrades?
That seems to be exactly the idea behind Kia's Track'ster Concept at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, and at first glance, we like the idea of a track-ready Soul, and one with a little more driving-enthusiast soul.
The Track'ster, which was already teased earlier this week, not only gives a hint of what a two-door Soul would be like, it also hints that Kia could (and might) make a higher-performance version of this small hatchback.
Up until now, the production versions of the Soul have been fun to drive, though not exactly engaging. But the Track'ster would be a lot more enjoyable, thanks to a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine, making 250 horsepower and delivering power with a short-throw six-speed gearbox through an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system.
The Track’ster should corner better on its lowered sport suspension, with much-improved grip from Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tires. There's also a custom, quick-release rear strut brace.
Proportions are a bit different from most angles, as the Track'ster is five inches wider than the production Soul with a wheelbase that's about an inch longer, while the longer front doors get push-style handles inspired by the billet fuel-filler doors on racing cars.
There are functional brake-cooling ducts for the front and rear wheels, which are fitted with huge (for this size of car) 14-inch Brembo discs, vented and cross-drilled with six-piston calipers (13.6-inch, four-piston ones in back). And the HRE-K1 custom monoblock billet performance wheels were jointly designed between HRE and Kia's California-based design team.
Kia used a bulldog inspiration to make the Track'ster tougher in appearance, and you can see that the most at the front end. The lower-intake grille is huge with an outline that looks almost like teeth, and it’s flanked by large LED driving lights that have billet-aluminum surrounds. A Whiteout and Inferno Orange paint scheme, with the angled rear roof pillar in orange, gives it a racy look.
The cabin gets all sorts of corresponding upgrades, with Inferno Orange suede racing seats complemented by Granite Gray leather and suede. Auxiliary gauges have been added, and in place of the rear seats, there are large paneled bins for racing gear.
We see a few influences, including the iconic Renault 5 Alpine, as well as a healthy dose of flavor from Kia's recent racing involvement. And will Kia call it the Soul Koup?
This story originally appeared at Motor Authority.
That seems to be exactly the idea behind Kia's Track'ster Concept at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, and at first glance, we like the idea of a track-ready Soul, and one with a little more driving-enthusiast soul.
The Track'ster, which was already teased earlier this week, not only gives a hint of what a two-door Soul would be like, it also hints that Kia could (and might) make a higher-performance version of this small hatchback.
Up until now, the production versions of the Soul have been fun to drive, though not exactly engaging. But the Track'ster would be a lot more enjoyable, thanks to a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine, making 250 horsepower and delivering power with a short-throw six-speed gearbox through an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system.
The Track’ster should corner better on its lowered sport suspension, with much-improved grip from Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tires. There's also a custom, quick-release rear strut brace.
Proportions are a bit different from most angles, as the Track'ster is five inches wider than the production Soul with a wheelbase that's about an inch longer, while the longer front doors get push-style handles inspired by the billet fuel-filler doors on racing cars.
There are functional brake-cooling ducts for the front and rear wheels, which are fitted with huge (for this size of car) 14-inch Brembo discs, vented and cross-drilled with six-piston calipers (13.6-inch, four-piston ones in back). And the HRE-K1 custom monoblock billet performance wheels were jointly designed between HRE and Kia's California-based design team.
Kia used a bulldog inspiration to make the Track'ster tougher in appearance, and you can see that the most at the front end. The lower-intake grille is huge with an outline that looks almost like teeth, and it’s flanked by large LED driving lights that have billet-aluminum surrounds. A Whiteout and Inferno Orange paint scheme, with the angled rear roof pillar in orange, gives it a racy look.
The cabin gets all sorts of corresponding upgrades, with Inferno Orange suede racing seats complemented by Granite Gray leather and suede. Auxiliary gauges have been added, and in place of the rear seats, there are large paneled bins for racing gear.
We see a few influences, including the iconic Renault 5 Alpine, as well as a healthy dose of flavor from Kia's recent racing involvement. And will Kia call it the Soul Koup?
This story originally appeared at Motor Authority.
The Lyonheart K
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