Kia Unveils Trail’ster Electric All-wheel Drive CUV Concept

Off-road enthusiasts in St. Louis will soon have a new best friend as Kia Motors America (KMA) debuted its newest concept at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show — an electric, all-wheel drive CUV dubbed the Trial’ster. Those who live in urban areas but also want a vehicle that can handle their off-road fun now have an eco-friendly vehicle to fit their needs.

As it is based on the Kia Soul design, the Trail’ster’s look may not exactly scream rugged like other traditional off-road vehicles, but its rear axle-mounted electric all-wheel-drive system provides surefootedness in the wild. Also, it is two-and-a-half inches higher than the standard Soul. Along with all of that, the Trail’ster has aluminum skidplates around the entire vehicle to protect the undercarriage from jagged rocks.

The exterior is highlighted by a stylish full-length fully retractable, weatherproof rollback canvas roof to create an open-sky environment. Integrated roof rack fittings with aluminum cross rails allow owners to take easily their mountain bikes, snowboards or whatever they need for their outdoor fun.

The interior was inspired by the outdoor and cold weather gear that those who purchase one of these vehicles in the future wear. The focal point of this interior is a tactile and sturdy center console with its AWD controls and a bright red ignition button. The floor mats feature aluminum inlays for all-weather traction. As the Trail’ster is based on the Soul, there is plenty of space for passengers and cargo to boot.

Under the hood, the compact CUV is primarily powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine outputting 185 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. This is matched to an electric all-wheel-drive system on the rear axle. The electric propulsion system draws energy from a 1.2 kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery powering a 27 kW, 270 volt AC synchronous permanent magnet electric motor to bring the total power to 220 HP and 285 lb.-ft. of torque.

Stay tuned to Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley’s blog for more details and information on the Trail’ster.

While those in St. Louis wait eagerly for this concept to become a reality, Jim Butler Kia in St. Louis has a selection of 2015 Kia Souls in our inventory. To learn more about the award-winning Kia Soul, call us today at 888-392-6606. As your St. Louis Kia dealer, we invite you to check out the Soul in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler Kia, you can make your Soul purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights Kia dealer.

Check out our 2015 Soul inventory!