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…
Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work
Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Read more
Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?
Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Read more
EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says
ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.

Read more