Autoblog

Kia readying GT and convertible Soul models?

George Kennedy — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Budget, Performance, Hatchback, Kia

Be it the upright seating arrangement, the utility in a compact package, or just buyers captivated by dancing hamsters, the Kia Soul has proven to be one of the Korean automaker's best-selling models. Its popularity has driven Kia to renew the funky hatch for the 2014 model year, perhaps with some unexpected variants.

The sleuths at CarPix have nabbed the next Soul testing in the desert, and even with the camouflage disguise, our spies say it looks like the redesign has left the Soul slightly lower and a little wider. Additionally, the headlights have a more squared-off, masculine appearance. This prototype features a larger lower grille, with the Kia corporate grille moved farther upward.

And while the prototype above is likely a look at the bread-and-butter model, AutoExpress is reporting the new generation may spawn a convertible variant. This appears to be purely rumor at this point and thus should be taken with one very big grain of salt, but Kia clearly has aspirations for the range beyond a single bodystyle. It has shown a number of envelope-pushing Soul-based concepts, including the Soul'ster pickup that sported an open roof. That concept was rumored to be headed for production at one time, but was later said to be killed due to the flaccid global economy.

A more likely spinoff is a Soul GT with augmented performance and sportier aesthetics. There is reason to believe that a GT model could come with a different bodystyle - after all, the Soul-based Track'ster concept that stole the Chicago Motor Show earlier this year was a three-door.

Either way, the Soul appears poised to be the last "box car" standing - The segment-pioneering Honda Element is already out of production and both the Scion xB and Nissan Cube face murky futures.

Kia readying GT and convertible Soul models? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Kia built its show-stopping Track'ster concept

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Videos, Hatchback, Kia, Design/Style

We'll admit it: We're totally smitten with the Kia Track'ster Concept that debuted at last week's Chicago Auto Show. And it's not just because we like the idea of a 250-horsepower, all-wheel-drive hot hatch from Korea, it's because this concept shows bits and pieces of what the next-generation Soul could look like, including a possible three-door configuration. Kia, however, has no immediate plans to send the Track'ster into production. In fact, specific elements like the turbocharged engine don't even exist - this is purely a design study, albeit a hot one.

The process of building the Track'ster started a little over nine months ago, and the folks at Motor Trend were able to watch the entire creation process. Ideas and sketches turned into clay models which were later photographed, detailed, and sent over to a company that specializes in building concept cars. As a special treat, we even get to meet the Kia Soul donor vehicle that gave its life for the birth of this concept car.

Follow the jump to watch the short documentary detailing the birth of the hot little Track'ster.

Continue reading How Kia built its show-stopping Track'ster concept

How Kia built its show-stopping Track'ster concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Track'ster unlikely for production, but hints at next-generation Soul "family"

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Kia

Expect the next Soul to look something like the Track'ster, with Kia deploying more than one variant.

Kia's Track'ster Concept is one of the big hits of the Chicago Auto Show, one of the rare concepts that just screams, "Build me!" But after a thorough interrogation of Kia's PR team and an interview with design chief Peter Schreyer, we realize that's just wishful thinking. We do, however, expect the next Soul to look something like the Track'ster, with Kia deploying more than one variant when the second generation appears in a few years.

"If the Soul were to evolve into a family, it would be nice," Schreyer told us.

Kia spokesman Scott McKee repeatedly said the Track'ster was just a concept and not intended to be production feasible, all the while issuing the standard auto company disclaimer, "Every concept car we do is about gathering information from consumers and media."

One of the big pieces of information Kia is likely looking for is whether performance cars from Kia would play with the notoriously cliquish enthusiast community. Even more importantly, however, Kia will be gauging interest in additional body styles for the Soul. Schreyer said he thinks the Soul would be "more substantial" if it were also offered in a two-door version, or in a more performance-oriented flavor. All-wheel drive is a feature Schreyer also specifically mentioned as being on his wish list.

Continue reading Kia Track'ster unlikely for production, but hints at next-generation Soul "family"

Kia Track'ster unlikely for production, but hints at next-generation Soul "family" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Editors' Choice: Top Five 2012 Chicago Auto Show Debuts

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Acura, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, Diesel

The Chicago Auto Show may be the smallest of the North American auto shows we cover (yet largest by square footage, ironically), but year after year, more and more automakers choose to show off some new metal under the lights of McCormick Place. This year saw a total of 18 major reveals (click here to see our full rundown), and while that pales in comparison to last month's Detroit show, there's still a lot of new metal to talk about here in Chicago.

So, of the 18 cars that took the stage in the Windy City, which ones were our favorite? More importantly, which one was the favorite? Follow the jump to see our top five picks for the best 2012 Chicago Auto Show debuts.

Continue reading Editors' Choice: Top Five 2012 Chicago Auto Show Debuts

Editors' Choice: Top Five 2012 Chicago Auto Show Debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Track'ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star

John Neff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Performance, Hatchback, Kia

It's not like we needed any more reason to like the Soul, but Kia went ahead and debuted the Track'ster concept at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show anyway. The Track'ster is a three-door, all-wheel-drive, 250-hp version of the cute and quirky urban Soul that we hope gets green lights all along its road to production. That's wishful thinking, but follow along to find out why we want the Track'ster made so badly.

The Track'ster eschews a back seat in favor of a "fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tire well."

To date, the Soul has been anything but a performance machine. The Track'ster changes that in a big way by eschewing not only a pair of doors, but also the back seat in favor of what Kia describes as a "fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tire well." This tray is designed to house helmets, race suits, gloves, tools and all the accoutrement that goes with being a serious track rat.

The idea for the Track'ster is to run what your brung, so while the car itself carries everything you need to race, it also needs to move with enough hustle that you're not embarrassed behind the wheel. To that end, Kia has fitted the concept with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower that gets dissected by a six-speed short throw manual transmission and further divided among all four 19-inch wheels by an all-wheel-drive system.

Despite the lack of rear doors, the Track'ster sports a wheelbase nearly an inch longer than the Soul and a 75.5-inch rear track that stretches nearly five inches wider. Likewise, its braking system is also extra strength with 14-inch Brembos clamped by six-piston calipers up front and 13.6-inch discs with four-piston calipers in back. Of course, the interior has also been done up for concept duty, but not so much that it's outside the realm of possibility.

The Track'ster is one of those concepts that occupies a space just near enough reality that we believe it, or something like it, could be be produced if the proletariat buying regular old Souls screams loudly enough. Let us just say, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Continue reading Kia Track'ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star

Kia Track'ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia releases second Track'Ster teaser ahead of Chicago debut

Zach Bowman — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Hatchback, Kia, Design/Style

Kia has officially dropped new teaser for its Chicago-bound Track'Ster concept. Word has it the new hatch will be based largely on the company's Soul five-door, though with a few notable tweaks. For starters, designers scrapped the rear doors for more of a hot hatch look. A new front fascia looks to be part of the recipe as well, and odds are the Track'Ster will rock suitably outrageous wheels befitting a true concept.

But will it come to production? It's hard telling. As you may recall, the Soul has been a go-to favorite as a concept platform in the past. Kia showed off the beach-going Soul'ster concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, and while the vehicle generated enormous buzz, the economic slowdown put a stop to any production plans. Still, with corporate cousin Hyundai rocking the Veloster, there may be room in the Kia stable for a performance hatch.

The Track'Ster Concept will make its official debut later this week.

Kia releases second Track'Ster teaser ahead of Chicago debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia renders Track'ster concept for Chicago

Chris Paukert — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Budget, Wagon, Hatchback, Kia, Design/Style

Things are shaping up nicely for next week's Chicago Auto Show, key among them this new Kia concept called Track'ster. Riffing on the Korean automaker's hit Soul compact, the Track'ster keeps much of the small car's boxy style, but turns the wick up considerably by scrubbing the rear doors, fitting a gaping front end, substituting massive showcar wheels and dramatically lowering the right height.

This isn't the first time Kia has toyed with the idea of a Soul spinoff - at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, it presented the Soul'ster, a rough-and-tumble concept vehicle with a small pickup bed. Thanks to a strong response from the public, the Soul'ster was understood to be under consideration for production, but its hopes reportedly fizzled due to the economic meltdown.

Despite being on the market since 2008, the Soul continues to pick up momentum in chunks. Thanks in part to a refresh for 2012 that addresses hopes for more powerful drivetrains, the Soul has emerged as one of Kia's best sellers - last month, it was only slightly outdistanced by the Optima midsize sedan, and it's outpacing Sorrento, which was Kia's best-seller last year.

Will Kia finally pull the trigger on a Soul variant? We should know more after the Track'ster makes the show circuit rounds.

Kia renders Track'ster concept for Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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