The Kia Soul EV is the Korean automaker’s first attempt at building and selling an electric car in the U.S., but the electrification train isn’t stopping there. At the Chicago Auto Show the Kia Trail’ster with a new e-AWD system will make its world debut, and the automaker has dropped the second teaser ofits turbocharged and rugged off-roader.
Yes, the word turbocharged was thrown around in the latest press release, indicating that this is not an all-electric off-road runabout like I had hoped. Instead, the press release says that the e-AWD system is a “smartly integrated rear electric all-wheel drive system” that will work in conjunction with a conventional petrol engine. Additionally, the “bold” Kia concept will use a retractable canvas to allow urban adventurers an unfettered view of the outside world.
Beyond that though details are scarce, and there’s no word on whether the e-AWD system is merely a concept designed to tickle our imaginations, or a product actually planned for production. It seems to me this mild hybrid system could give the Kia Trail’ster both more stability in off-road conditions, and better fuel economy in day-to-day driving. That’s what we like to call a win-win situation.
Who would have thought that the funky Kia Soul would end up being one of the most popular and versatile vehicles on the market today?
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