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 Trail'Ster Concept
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Page 1 of 2 Next >>  Aligning form and function to conceive a uniquely compelling vehicle for the city-dweller-turned-outdoor-adventurer, Kia Motors America (KMA) today took the wraps off the boldly designed Trail'ster e-AWD concept at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. Based on the brand's iconic Soul urban passenger vehicle, the turbocharged Trail'ster - with its Polar Pearl Snowdrift/Terra Bronze Metallic paint scheme, roll-top canvas roof and armored aluminum skid plates - captures the essence of an advanced and capable CUV intended for those looking to escape their urban environs in search of higher-elevation playgrounds where snow, mud, streams and trails abound. Efficient and lightweight, the Trail'ster is ideal for transporting adventurers and their gear. With its rugged, functional and upscale approach to an active mountain-focused lifestyle, Trail'ster was dreamt up at Kia's California design studio, birthplace of the unforgettable Track'ster and GT4 Stinger."The Trail'ster concept is a near-future look at how the production Kia Soul would logically evolve into an AWD-capable version that's built to escape the city streets and roam into the mountain wilderness," said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Design Center of America (KDCA). "It takes the go-anywhere capability of an SUV and reimagines it within a compact and sporty package with an expressive design to match." Underscoring Kia's focus on all-wheel drive capability, the Trail'ster enables a wide array of mountain activities, from skiing and snowboarding to camping, hiking and mountain biking. Whether it's trekking up to a high, snowy summit or traipsing down a muddy fire road to a piney trailhead, the Trail'ster - thanks to a rear axle-mounted electric all-wheel-drive system - is all about surefootedness in the wild. Based on the production Soul, the Trail'ster's overall shape and size are unmistakable. But with family genes tied closely to the thought-provoking Track'ster and Soul'ster concepts - which pushed Soul far into new directions to realize its performance and lifestyle possibilities - the Trail'ster also takes a dramatic departure from its production-car roots with styling and drivetrain components that turn Kia's popular urban passenger vehicle into a rugged runabout, further demonstrating that Soul is indeed the ideal platform for creativity and experimentation. The exterior color was inspired by the earthy combination of springtime snow and mud, the terrain for which the Trail'ster has been created to travel confidently through on its way to outdoor destinations high above sea level. The Polar Pearl Snowdrift exterior paint is a modern neutral color, against which the warm and contrasting Terra Bronze Metallic tone of the roof and lower cladding brings connection to the soft dirt of roads less traveled. Anodized fire-red wheel accents and polished billet aluminum sections infuse a purposeful and sophisticated aesthetic to the Trail'ster's precise design, taking inspiration from high-tech, high-performance outdoor sporting gear. Overhead, the Trail'ster features a stylish full-length, weatherproof rollback canvas roof to create an open-sky environment for occupants to enjoy the outdoors even before reaching their chosen high ground. This fully retractable cover also helps lighten the vehicle and lowers the center of gravity, promoting higher efficiency and improved dynamics. Integrated roof rack fittings with aluminum cross rails allow adventurers to tote mountain bikes or snowboards with ease. The Trail'ster's use of advanced LED technology creates a strong and unique lighting identity from top to bottom, front to back. Upfront, the signature Kia grille bars extend through the K900-style projector headlamps to create a full-width frontal graphic. And below, expressive fog light elements give the vehicle a bold personality while providing additional wattage for illuminating off-the-beaten-track excursions. The Trail'ster's rear view takes on a tough-looking appearance framed by LED taillamps that are built into durable, ruggedized light housings. Highlighting its off-road prowess, the Trail'ster wears aluminum skidplates around the entire vehicle, providing a protective armor to shield the undercarriage from jagged rocks and ice. Within, the Trail'ster's color and trim palette combines brown leather and aluminum accents to relay an earthy but upscale environment that's both durable and comfortable. Cabin materials are inspired by snow sports gear and equipment. "We drew from high-quality active lifestyle accessories like snowboarding gloves, boots and helmets to bring a premium level of craftsmanship and character to the interior space," commented Kearns. The focal point of this interior is a tactile and sturdy center console incorporating a thickset gear shifter, AWD controls and a bright red ignition button. Brown leather-trimmed seats feature a pillow-embossed textile for the seat inserts and the floor mats feature aluminum inlays for all-weather traction. Other interior finishes and details were also inspired by the top-quality materials of cold-weather sporting gear, like leather, high-gloss paint and metallic trim. Being based on the Kia Soul means the Trail'ster also benefits from efficient packaging and an abundance of space for passengers and their cargo as they head out on their next adventure. Page 1 of 2 Next >> |
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