Since Kia launched the Soul, the company has enjoyed a 78 percent increase in sales volume. Is the funky compact hatch the reason for that increase? No, but it did signal a massive shift in Kia's brand philosophy. Besides its sharp new styling, a major marketing makeover sees the brand going for a hip, more youthful demographic.
Now, '80s hair bands hardly typify a youthful demographic, but today's unveil of the Kia Track'ster Concept was certainly the hippest press conference thus far at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. (However, if they were going to honor Kia's Super Bowl ad, I would've preferred an Adriana Lima lookalike on hand than a cover band's take on Motley Crue.)
As for the car, the Track'ster takes the Soul, chops off the rear doors, lowers it, widens it, lengthens the wheelbase and stuffs it with a 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder feeding an all-wheel-drive system.
It was designed by Kia's California design studio and specifically by the nice folks introduced by the aforementioned cover band in the video below. The interior builds on Kia's recent designs (especially the Sportage), and really isn't all that fanciful compared to most other concept cars. They were even allowing people to sit in it.
Kia says it doesn't intend to produce the Track'ster, but that it instead showcases a possible direction for the Soul. What do you think? Does a two-door Soul make sense?
csubowtie says:
11:37 AM, 02/ 8/12
Now THAT is a cool concept. Bring it to market at around $24-25 and you've got something to compete with a WRX or GTI. Less rally cred, but for the street this thing looks better than just about any of the WRX's (and this is coming from a WRX owner).
throwback says:
11:46 AM, 02/ 8/12
This powertrain needs to be in the Veloster.
slickersdrip says:
12:00 PM, 02/ 8/12
@throwback +1
Put that drivetrain in the Veloster and I'll be first in line for one. Saw one in traffic today and thought it was quite fetching.
minibro77 says:
12:05 PM, 02/ 8/12
Wow! It's the Dodge Hornet Concept of 2007 or so vintage reincarnated! Not a bad thing. This a really awesome looking car!
firstwagon says:
03:56 PM, 02/ 8/12
I notice a huge number of Souls on the road for a car that's only been out a couple years. Don't have the numbers but I'd guess Kia has sold more Souls in the last couple years then Honda sold Elements in it's entire production run.
I would laughed if some said it 5 years ago but Kias are cool now.
garrym says:
05:15 PM, 02/ 8/12
If I was a lot younger than I am now, I would be telling Kia to build it. While the Veloster is yawnsville, this is more the ticket for younger drivers. Although I'm sure it would be a fun drive for me.
Kia has a lot of vehicles on the pavement in my part of western Canada. I see a lot of Souls on the road so the company is clearly doing something right in attracting a lot of buyers.
blueprint1 says:
05:50 PM, 02/ 8/12
I see I'm not alone in seeing the Hornet in there.
cwalton1 says:
07:42 AM, 02/ 9/12
Best In Show... reminds me of the Renault R5 Turbo. Look it up young 'uns.
dc325ix says:
07:51 AM, 02/ 9/12
"cwalton" totally agree as when I saw it I thought of the R5 as well - I wish they would build it or at least take the AWD and stick it in the veloster as this and the velosoter are good looking vehicles.
litewerk says:
03:02 AM, 02/10/12
I see both a bit of the Dodge Hornet concept and the Renault R5 Turbo. Were I a bit younger, I'd be really hoping they'd put it into production. Definitely very cool. As others have noted, I've seen a fair number of Souls since they came out. KIA and Hyundai are really on a roll. I predict that they will continue to grab market share from automakers who aren't living up to their potential. And, we all know who has been slacking in recent years.
fordson1 says:
05:56 AM, 02/10/12
Looks like a cross between a piece of candy and a running shoe.
Not feeling it.
If I cared anything about the Veloster, I would probably agree that it needs the drivetrain from this car.