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Kia

Soul'ster

A bright spot—a bright orange spot, anyway—at the 2009 North American International Auto Show is this Kia Soul–based concept. Reminding us a lot of Kia’s own Sportage convertible from years ago

A bright spot—a bright orange spot, anyway—at the 2009 North American International Auto Show is this Kia Soul–based concept. Reminding us a lot of Kia’s own Sportage convertible from years ago

The four-seat Soul’ster features a two-piece roof that covers front and rear passengers independently—or can be completely removed—and that is suspended by roof rails capped by small fog lamps.

The four-seat Soul’ster features a two-piece roof that covers front and rear passengers independently—or can be completely removed—and that is suspended by roof rails capped by small fog lamps.

The little car/truck thingy takes a slightly butchered-up stance compared with the more conventional Soul five-door, with nifty details such as blue-tinted lights and glowing amber lamps in the grilles beneath the headlamps.

The little car/truck thingy takes a slightly butchered-up stance compared with the more conventional Soul five-door, with nifty details such as blue-tinted lights and glowing amber lamps in the grilles beneath the headlamps.

With either a 120-hp, 1.6-liter engine or a 2.0-liter four with 140 hp, both offer fuel economy “estimated at 30 or more miles per gallon.” This particular concept has the former, with a five-speed manual transmission. Kia goes on to say that the Soul’ster could be sold in other markets with a 124-hp, 1.6-liter gas motor, or even a 1.6-liter diesel engine

With either a 120-hp, 1.6-liter engine or a 2.0-liter four with 140 hp, both offer fuel economy “estimated at 30 or more miles per gallon.” This particular concept has the former, with a five-speed manual transmission. Kia goes on to say that the Soul’ster could be sold in other markets with a 124-hp, 1.6-liter gas motor, or even a 1.6-liter diesel engine

Kia says that the Soul’ster has an agile, smooth, and spirited ride, although we’re not sure that its slammed suspension could yield much in the smoothness department.

Kia says that the Soul’ster has an agile, smooth, and spirited ride, although we’re not sure that its slammed suspension could yield much in the smoothness department.

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