Appearing ready for the showroom than previous concepts, the Kia Trail’ster Concept hit the stage at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.
The Soul-based Trail’ster is raised 2.5 inches higher than the original hamstermobile for better ground clearance, with aluminum skid plates protecting the underbody and its AWD system, and Pirelli Winter Carving tires to carve winter snow and mud like an Easter ham.
Power for the concept comes from a 1.6-liter turbo-four pushing 185 horsepower/lb-ft of torque to the front, while an electric motor moves the back under acceleration, and can push the Trail’ster up to three miles if necessary. The two independent systems deliver 220 horsepower and 285 lb-ft of torque to the trail or the street.
The concept’s independent systems are designed to garner better fuel economy per Kia. The automaker didn’t offer any specifics, but it believes the concept will perform 25 to 30 percent better in the city and 10 to 15 percent better on the highway than the Soul and its 2-liter engine.
Like Hyundai’s Santa Cruz Concept from last month’s Detroit Auto Show, the Kia Trail’ster Concept is meant to appeal to consumers who call the city their home, yet adore the outdoors. No word on whether or not this one will enter showrooms just yet, however.
Now this was mentioned before in a different article, “Oh Kia is about to show new offroad concept.” At that time, I said I bet it’s this Track’ster thing.
I am sort of proved right.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/01/chicago-2015-kia-bringing-rugged-concept-show/
Also, in Brazil this will be sold as the Soul Adventure.
Asian “okay, okay, I ter you…he rook-a rike-a man” laundry lady from Mad TV say –
“It rook-a rike a Soul on skis.”
LOL Ms. Swan.
I terr you, I terr you evey-thing. I terr you how he looka. He looka…likea…man.
Thank you!
Ms. Swan!
I forgot the name.
She’s a talented lady. She is the voice of Lois and other assorted characters on Family Guy.
So did they just put a lift kit on the existing model and call it a day like Volvo did with the S60?
The eRWD – IIRC the Toyota Highlander and RX hybrids have this stateside
eRWD?
Electric RWD.
Wow, skid plates and everything. Well played, Kia, well played.
Only you will likely be lucky if they are even an option on the actual product.
They could butch up the front a little more.
Any news on interior? A hose out interior would be a real game changer, but I won’t hold my breath, lol.
They will figuratively sell a million of these, if they actually release it and there’s not some horrible, glaring defect.
Depending on how this gets priced it could make Jeep a little nervous about their Renegade prospects. How you option the new Renegade can make things pretty pricey.
Please, please, please give me an MT option!
How much will it weigh? IF it’s lighter than the Renegade, Jeep may be sweating a bit..
Speaking of which…close resemblance IMO.
The Renegade has a more basic/square aesthetic, but they both are nicely done.
“IF it’s lighter than the Renegade, Jeep may be sweating a bit..”
This cute little roller skate may be better equipped to run rush hour in a metropolis and parallel park, but if were talking off road capability (which is the theme of the article), there is no comparison.
90% of Renegades will never see off-road conditions. This Kia isn’t claiming trail-rating, either. If the Kia is lighter, it will likely drive better and be cheaper to own/operate, and thus a much better car for people who want an AWD cute-ute. Ergo, Jeep may be sweating a bit depending on how competitive this thing is on-road versus their entry.
@jrmason:
You have direct knowledge of moth vehicles….. How?
I’d love to test drive both of these, so please hook me up.
I know what it takes to qualify as a capable 4×4, and this will not cut the mustard off the hard pan very well. Look at the lack of ground clearance in the front. No wonder the thing needs skid plates, if you hit a coon in the road it would rape the oil pan, gas tank and who knows what else on its way out the back. Our 4 miles of road to the main roads does not get maintained very well at all in the winter, and at times proves a challenge for the wifes Mountaineer with its studded snow tires and better ground clearance than the Hampster. Spring time can be just as nasty, the road will usually flood a couple of times a year when the river gets too swollen and overflows. Even on a good day in the early spring its a wet muddy washed out mess. The Soul +2.5 may be just fine in the city but those curb rash wheels, little donut tires, and lack of any real ground clearance makes it a no go out here.
And its fugly as all get out!
Southwest Airlines offers direct service to Dallas from my local airport. I don’t have family or business in Dallas, I have family and business in Chicago. I know what flights to Chicago are like. I don’t understand why Southwest flies to Dallas, I’m never gonna go to Dallas! Besides, their new livery is fugly as all get out!
Hamburglar ate too many soy burgers for breakfast this morning.
Not sure about the bling, which makes it resemble a Mini variant.
I’d like the hybrid features in a more toned-down Soul.
Hey, it’s a first-gen Sportage!
It looks like a hiking boot with wheels.
I like the looks. The rear end is slightly overdone but those fake rocket exhausts (taillights) knock me out !
Yeah, what’s with those jet engines in the back?
Looks like a 1961 Thunderbird
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Thunderbird_Sports_Roadster-1962.jpg
Somehow I doubt this things even got enough ground clearance to hop a curb let alone “offroad”, curb rash wheels and all. Better stick to the urban jungle, its much safer than the real one.
As with all Korean vehicles in North America its sales success will depend upon its price point.
At the right price point, and if road clearance is high enough it may displace the Subaru Crosstek as my next ‘vehicle of choice’.
Ironically, the stock Toyota corolla seems to have more wheel well gap than this “off road” vehicle…
I hope they build this, I’d buy one.