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South Korean manufacturer Kia releases new official images of the Track’ster concept, a prototype styled at its own Design Studio in California and described as a one-of-a-kind sporty crossover delivering unbelievably high performance. This intriguing model is being introduced to the public right now at the ongoing 2012 Chicago Auto Show, and has quickly become one of the most sought-after models of the event. This concept is supposed to be an anticipation of a future production model that combines sporty aesthetics with some quite original and peculiar technical feature, but for some reason we doubt it will be as cool as this concept.
To start with, its 2-tone Whiteout and Inferno Orange color scheme seems to be absolutely spot-on. The front end has a massive air intake placed right in the middle of the front bumper, full LED fog-lights as well as modern looking head lamps, while its exclusive 19″ alloys are fitted with Michelin performance tyres and Brembo brakes. The grille is quite reminiscent of Kia’s most recent production and the shape of the sides provides the vehicle with a quite athletic feeling. Under the bonnet we have a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox that produces 250 hp, which is a staggering 66% more than the most powerful engine currently available in the production Kia Soul’s line-up.
At the back we have the tail lights that are integrated in the rear window and a grille that retrieves the shape of the one at the front with a pair of mufflers at its sides. The sharp air-outlets on the sides of the car complete the wicked look of this concept. Inside Kia Track’ster Concept there are only two seats, with spare wheel, fire extinguisher and storage bays in place of the rear bench, just like in a rally car. However, the red/white/gray theme continues in the cabin too, and from what we can see the overall look of dashboard, wheel panels and all is just as harmonious and well-thought as the exterior. To find out more about Kia Track’ster Concept, see the official Press Release after the jump.
View the full Kia Track’ster Concept photo gallery
KIA DREAMS BIG WITH TRACK’STER CONCEPT CAR UNVEIL AT 2012 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
Performance Concept Kick Starts Driving Enthusiasts’ Hearts
• World debut of high-performance Soul-based concept
• Aggressive design, all-wheel drive and 250 horsepower make for a driver’s dream
CHICAGO, February 8, 2012 – What happens when a dream becomes reality? In the case of the Kia Track’ster concept unveiled at today’s Chicago Auto Show, car enthusiasts begin to salivate. 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 coupe concept that hints at what could possibly be the future of Kia’s wildly successful Soul.
“The idea was to make the Track’ster tough looking, like a bulldog,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer for KMA. “But the car had to be approachable as well. We wanted to base the car in reality so people instantly knew it was a Soul, but with a lot of attitude. It had to be a bold interpretation that would change people’s conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be.”
Mission accomplished.
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 fiber. Smoothly integrated head lights sweep back suggestively over the sculpted front-wheel arches. The deeply recessed lenses echo the trapezoid themes found throughout the Track’ster and are accented with compelling LEDs.
Most striking up front is the Track’ster’s lower intake grille. Flanked by immense LED driving lights with billet aluminum surrounds, the Track’ster is capable of swallowing prodigious amounts of air to keep the engine running cool even under the most grueling conditions. The lower valance, trimmed in carbon fiber and accented with Inferno Orange, rides just inches off the ground and lends to the car’s menacing stance.
The Track’ster 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 Track’ster’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 tires. 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 Track’ster’s performance intentions, large 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes are embraced by six-piston calipers in front and 13.6-inch discs are paired with four-piston calipers at the rear.
Soul fans will instantly recognize the Track’ster’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 fiber lower side valances also are accented in Inferno Orange and incorporate functional rear-brake cooling ducts. The back hatch incorporates a horizontal Inferno Orange “backpack” panel that accentuates the Track’ster’s 75.5-inch width, which is more than five inches wider than a production Soul.
With performance as the top priority, the Track’ster 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-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumps 250 horsepower to the pavement, a 66 percent 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 Track’ster 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 Gray leather envelopes the interior landscape and imparts a feeling of strength and stability. Granite Gray 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 HVAC controls are accessed through a large touch-screen panel located just above the engine Start/Stop push-button.
Behind the front seats is where Track’ster 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-tire well. “We saw the Track’ster as a performance-inspired concept that could spend time on the road and racetrack,” said Kearns. “The idea was to make the tools and equipment necessary to keep the car performing in top condition easily accessible.” Large paneled 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.
While there are no current plans to produce the Track’ster, Kia’s California design center team enthusiastically took on the project. “Concept cars are icing on the cake,” said Kearns. “They allow KMA’s design team to dream about what could be. Whether that dream becomes a reality or not is a separate question.”
Kia’s Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is the one of the world’s fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America’s full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality and the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking. Kia’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company’s two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan. Kia’s value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.
Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
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One of the cars of the hour is definitely the new Aston Martin V12 Zagato, a new coupe from the British carmaker that will surely make heads turn when it will finally enter the market, and here are another four official images picturing it in all of its splendor. The car will be officially introduced to the world at the imminent Kuwait Concours d’ Elegance (February 15-18) and is expected to enter the market by the end of the current year, although only 150 units will be produced.
“We are excited to show the new V12 Zagato for the first time in production form at the Kuwait Concours d’Elegance - said Aston Martin’s CEO, Mr. Ulrich Bez - Over 50 years since the introduction of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin and Zagato have collaborated to create this modern interpretation which remains true to the original focus of craftsmanship, performance and exclusivity.”
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A few months after it was last spotted and immortalized in some sneaky picture, the new Porsche 911 Turbo 991-series has been caught on camera again by our photographers. The mule pictured in these spy shots during some winter testing is still wearing some heavy camouflage that doesn’t allow us to see its front and rear bumpers, which have always been among the most distinctive features of the previous 911 Turbo. Same goes for the air intakes, including the ones on the sides of the vehicle. However, insiders report that the car will get a brand new rear wing with a mobile part as well as specifically designed mufflers.
As for the engine, it is fair to assume that the Turbo version of the 911/991 will come with a twin-turbo variant of the 3.8-litre boxer engine that can be found under the bonnet of the recent ‘Carrera S‘, but with an output in excess of 500 hp. This power will be transmitted to all four wheels through Porsche’s signature automatic 7-speed PDK ‘dual clutch’ transmission. Although no confirmations are currently available on the subject, some people think that the new Porsche 911 Turbo will be officially unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, in March.
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