Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Forum banner

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

2183 Views 21 Replies 16 Participants Last post by  dboz
Filed under: 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 screamed 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.



Permalink | Email this | Comments

More...
See less See more
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
I like, I like...
I like if it's under 18k
So not going to happen. The regular 2.0L Soul with any package worth having is barely under 18k
I'm feeling a Mini Cooper vibe here :freak:. Looks good though :D
I think it would be bad ass. It also gives me hope that a Hyundai vehicle may be coming with AWD also. The next Genesis Coupe with AWD could be a poor mans GT-R.
I like it!


I think it would be bad ass. It also gives me hope that a Hyundai vehicle may be coming with AWD also. The next Genesis Coupe with AWD could be a poor mans GT-R.

Genesis AWD would be nice......ha, I'd have to seriously think about the Sonata if they made an AWD version of the 2.0T. Just imagine, a decent vehicle that's backed by dealers who aren't quite so, how should I put it, douchebag like.
So not going to happen. The regular 2.0L Soul with any package worth having is barely under 18k
God damn! I thought they were supposed to be inexpensive
Got my vote. Almost seems to good to be true though. Not to mention.. 6 piston calipers up front? Not going to happen if this comes to production. Very good idea by Kia nonetheless! They have definitely been stepping up their game lately.
i like it!





Genesis awd would be nice......ha, i'd have to seriously think about the sonata if they made an awd version of the 2.0t. Just imagine, a decent vehicle that's backed by dealers who aren't quite so, how should i put it, douchebag like.
+111111
I like it!





Genesis AWD would be nice......ha, I'd have to seriously think about the Sonata if they made an AWD version of the 2.0T. Just imagine, a decent vehicle that's backed by dealers who aren't quite so, how should I put it, douchebag like.
have you driven a sonata though?

driving is less involved than a camry, and the turbo is nothing to get excited about

2.0T is a great v6 alternative and a great family car - but it is NOT a performance car. I laughed in young customer's faces who came in wanting to buy one as a performance car.
have you driven a sonata though?

driving is less involved than a camry, and the turbo is nothing to get excited about

2.0T is a great v6 alternative and a great family car - but it is NOT a performance car. I laughed in young customer's faces who came in wanting to buy one as a performance car.
Mostly people are are looking for a company that actually backs their product. Mitsu runs away!
Better than Mini Cooper which is not a mini anymore.
have you driven a sonata though?

driving is less involved than a camry, and the turbo is nothing to get excited about

2.0T is a great v6 alternative and a great family car - but it is NOT a performance car. I laughed in young customer's faces who came in wanting to buy one as a performance car.

Yes, I've driven several. Just because the experience is dumbed down out of the factory, doesn't mean it's not a sound starting point. A car that's quick but doesn't necessarily feel it or outwardly scream it isn't a bad thing to everyone either ;)
Sad to say, but I'd certainly take the build quality, reliability and finish of a Hyundai over a Mitsu anyday.
Totally gets my seal of approval *Kick Ass*.
wow... this car is crap. What are y'all smoking? Stark does NOT approve.
wow... this car is crap. What are y'all smoking? Stark does NOT approve.

Thank God Captain America and Nick Fury do!
yeah but Cap is a mutant and nick only has 1 eye.
I guess this COULD be ok if they would just stop doing that red mirror and accent shit... and Im not sold on it being a KIA either.
wow... this car is crap. What are y'all smoking? Stark does NOT approve.
Hater!

See less See more
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top