Kia
Trackster Concept
The Kia Trackster Concept
unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Amid
the driving rhythm of heavy-metal music, smoke and blinding lights, Kia Motors
America (KMA) took the wraps off a performance-oriented three-door Soul coupé
concept that hints at what could possibly be the future of Kia's wildly
successful Soul.
The
bold attitude Kearns refers to starts with the eye-catching Whiteout and
Inferno Orange paint scheme. While the white portrays complex layers and shades
that contribute to dramatic depth, the orange is perfectly suited for racing.
Kia's signature grille features an air intake slit and is trimmed in
lightweight carbon fibre. Smoothly integrated head lights sweep back
suggestively over the sculpted front-wheel arches. The deeply recessed lenses
echo the trapezoid themes found throughout the Kia Trackster Concept and are
accented with compelling LEDs.
Most
striking up front is the Trackster's lower intake grille. Flanked by immense
LED driving lights with billet aluminium surrounds, the Trackster is capable of
devouring prodigious amounts of air to keep the engine running cool even under
the most gruelling conditions. The lower valance, trimmed in carbon fibre and
accented with Inferno Orange, rides just inches off the ground and lends to the
car's menacing stance.
The
Kia Trackster Concept is not just another pretty face; it has a body to match.
Sculpted surfaces seem to flow into each other naturally. The flanks are smooth
but accented with well-defined wheel enclosures. Tucked beneath the Trackster's
hips are custom HRE-K1 monoblock billet performance wheels that were a joint
effort of Kia's California design team and HRE. The wheels are wrapped in
245/40-19-inch front and massive 285/35-19-inch rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 high-performance
tyres.
The
wheelbase on the concept is stretched to 101.2-inches, almost an inch longer
than the production Soul. As expected on a car with the Trackster's performance
intentions, large 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes are
embraced by six-piston callipers up front and 13.6-inch discs are paired with
four-piston calipers at the rear.
Soul
fans will instantly recognize the Trackster's angled roof, accented with
Inferno Orange. Closer inspection reveals this concept, while Soul inspired, is
missing the production car's rear doors. The front doors have been lengthened
and adorned with smooth billet push-style handles which echo the
racing-inspired billet fuel filler door. Carbon fibre lower side valances are
also accented in Inferno Orange and incorporate functional rear-brake cooling
ducts. The rear hatch incorporates a horizontal Inferno Orange
"backpack" panel that accentuates the Kia Trackster Concept's
75.5-inch width, which is more than 5-inches wider than a production Soul.
With
performance as the top priority, the Trackster rolls into Chicago with a
concept drivetrain sure to kick start any driving enthusiast's heart. KMA's
design team dreamed big, but also kept their vision firmly rooted in reality. A
2.0-litre turbocharged in-line-four engine puts 250 horsepower to the road, a
66 per cent increase over that of the production Soul. Power is routed to all
four wheels via an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. The
short-throw six-speed manual transmission is capped with a stubby spherical
shift lever. The Trackster rides on a lowered sport suspension tuned for track
performance.
Opening
the driver's door reveals a light and airy interior highlighted with deeply
bolstered Inferno Orange suede-covered racing seats. Granite Grey leather
envelopes the interior landscape and imparts a feeling of strength and
stability. Granite Grey suede wraps the sport steering wheel and door panels.
Located deep within red-glowing nacelles, the primary instruments are large and
easily readable. Auxiliary vehicle information such as oil temperature and
battery voltage is found atop the dash panel while navigation, entertainment
and ventilation controls are accessed through a large touch-screen panel
located just above the engine Start/Stop push-button.
Behind
the front seats is where Kia Trackster Concept takes a significant step away
from its Soul stable mate. The rear seats have been removed and replaced with a
fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tyre well. Large panelled bins stow racing gear such as helmets, suits,
gloves and tools while emergency supplies are housed within a separate and
highly visible Inferno Orange container. A custom rear strut brace incorporates
a quick-release handle to allow for fast wheel changes.
