The Auto Writer

This past November, while at the Los Angeles Auto Show, I made sure that I was on hand for the Kia Soul reveal, in a bid to get a close look at the newest vehicle from the Korean automaker.

I came away from the Kia press conference impressed as I realized in the Soul that the automaker finally got it right by introducing a car that was fun, edgy and exciting.

Although not on sale until this Spring, Kia took advantage of all the media attention offered at the 2009 NAIAS to roll out the Kia Soul’ster, the latest variation on the Kia Soul theme.

“Soul’ster delivers something new, intriguing and relevant to today’s buyers – a fun, affordable convertible for active people who like to share good times with friends,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, KMA. “Defying categorization and providing utility and practicality, the Soul’ster exhibits distinctive design cues and satisfies multiple consumer needs.”

Kia says that the concept is meant to project a hip industrial look with screw borders, reminiscent of a rivet design found on a fighter jet. The windshield is shortened for a sportier and hunkered down appearance. A two-piece top enables passengers to expose the front and back seating areas independently, using elbow-grease technology. The roll bar serves a dual purpose and includes a place for the slider tracks, while providing protection not found in traditional convertibles.

On the inside, Soul’ster takes even more progressive variations from Soul beginning with the new four-passenger seating design, a diversion from Soul’s five-passenger arrangement to provide spacious versatility.  Fold-flat passenger and rear seats combined with plenty of headroom is geared to make this car a hit for driver and passenger alike.

Like the Soul, the Soul’ster concept offers a design direction that is completely new for Kia. My thinking is that just like the Soul, the Soul’ster will be a hit with sun n’ fun crowd and that we’ll see a production version in Kia showrooms just in time for Summer 2010.

Source: Kia Motors America