Skip to main content

Kia teases Trail’ster concept, will debut at Chicago Auto Show

Kia Trail'ster concept
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Kia’s vehicles have been steadily improving in both build quality and driving excitement over the last several years. However, our favorite characteristic of the brand remains its offbeat quirkiness.

For proof, look no further than the string of Soul-based concepts featuring the ‘-ster’ suffix.

Recommended Videos

It started in 2009 with the Soul’ster, an open-air concept with a roll bar, two-piece roof, and new four-passenger seating layout.

Three years later, at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, the Track’ster was unveiled. A performance-focused three–door, the 247-horsepower all-wheel drive concept wore upgraded brakes, rally-inspired LED foglights, and Inferno Orange accents throughout the exterior.

This year, at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, Kia will present a new member of the family.

Like its predecessors, the Trail’ster is based off the Soul and has an immediately apparent design ethos. This time, it’s off-roading, so the five-door wears upgraded bumpers, bolstered rocker panels, and a fully retractable canvas roof. We’ve only seen teaser photos thus far, so there may very well be additional upgrades elsewhere.

Kia Trail'ster concept
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The most interesting aspect of the Trail’ster, though, is its electronically controlled AWD system. The concept’s turbocharged engine reportedly powers the front wheels while an electric motor motivates the rear. This system could eventually make its way to a future AWD Soul EV, or perhaps a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk-fighting off-roader.

The vehicle will be fully unveiled on February 12th and the Chicago Auto Show.

For more Kia concept craziness, think back to the GT4 Stinger that wowed in Detroit last year.

Instead of oddball design choices, the GT4 employs a classic sports car formula: front engine, rear-wheel drive, and 50/50 weight distribution. Ok, it’s a bit eccentric too. Underneath its bright yellow paint and futuristic, sculpted body is a 2.0-liter turbo that makes 315 hp. The Stinger concept weighs just 2,874 pounds.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Teslas likely won’t get California’s new EV tax rebate
teslas likely wont get californias new ev tax rebate ap newsom 092320 01 1

California seems eager to reassert itself, not only as one of the largest economies in the world, but one where EVs will continue to thrive.

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced California will seek to revive state-tax rebates for electric vehicles should the incoming Trump administration carry out its plans to end the existing $7,500 federal incentive on EVs.

Read more
Watch Figure’s latest humanoid robot performing tasks autonomously
The Figure 02 humanoid robot.

Figure Status Update - BMW Use Case

Robotics startup Figure recently shared a new video showing several of its humanoid robots performing a task that could be applied to the automotive industry.

Read more
Kia PHEVs’ electric range will double to 60 miles
kia phevs electric range will double to 60 miles cq5dam thumbnail 1024 680

Besides making headlines about the wisdom, or lack thereof, of ending federal rebates on EVs in the U.S., Kia is setting its sights on doubling the range its plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) can run on while in electric mode.

With affordability and finding chargers remaining among the main hurdles to full EV adoption, drivers this year have increasingly turned to PHEVs, which can function in regular hybrid gas/electric mode, or in full electric mode. The issue for the latter, however, is that range has so far remained limited.

Read more