Kia Soulster production considered
Kia unveiled the Soulster concept car as a design study at this year’s North American International Auto Show to demonstrate the flexibility of the original design. Like many other concept cars, the Soulster was not intended to be produced but the vehicle has seen such a remarkable public response that the automaker is now seriously considering to bring the two-door pickup truck into the mass production.
When speaking with Automotivenews, Mr. Alex Fedorak – Director of Public Relations at Kia Motors America- revealed the Soulster concept created plenty of buzz among 2009 NAIAS attendees and the public response was so overwhelming that the company has decided the Soulster needs a closer look. “It is clearly a vehicle that was built as a concept in a fashion that was production-capable. We have been doing that more and more lately.” said Alex.
The sun-loving open-air Soulster concept car has been built on the 2010 Kia Soul, which goes on sale in US market on March 1st. Kia’s compact pick-up ute is a front-wheel-drive vehicle powered by 1.6L four-cylinder engine and coupled with five-speed manual transmission. Since the Soulster has been built with the same powertrain technology as production ready Kia Soul, it can also be fitted with a more powerful 2.0L engine.
At this point, the Soulster concept vehicle has not yet been green lighted and also no time frame has been given for a decision for the production model, but once decision made, we could see the Soulster making it to the market within a year or two. [Photosource: Leftlanenews]
UPDATE: Since Kia has been considering to develope the Soulster, I think you could share some of your thoughts on the vehicle and perhaps suggest Kia something that you’d like to see on a production model.
You know, Kia bosses have been reading our blog and they might find some of your suggestions very useful! 
February 11th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Hey, it’s Greg from the Chicago auto show! I managed to pick up some wireless, and I am just wondering WHERE IS THE FORTE INFO ON THIS SITE!? It is amazing car!!
February 11th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Coming up Greg!:)
February 11th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
This is inching closer to production
February 12th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Since I’m asking what would you like to see on a production Soulster, let me first reply to the question.
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First, I’d like the Soulster to be available with five-speed automatic tranny (6-speed even better). The old 4-speed is dated already, so a new unit would be more than welcomed. And second, I wish the interior design from the concept would make it into production.
February 12th, 2009 at 6:10 am
I’d like to see a hardtop accessory to cover the rear passengers and optional navigation.
February 12th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Also, I would like the production model to keep the blacked out tail lights. Those look great..
February 12th, 2009 at 6:14 am
I want AWD! I know the platform won’t support a 4WD drivetrain but neither does the cube’s. Nissan, added 2 electric motors to the cube’s back axle and made it AWD! And a vertical door handle, roof lights and a bigger 5 or 6 speed manu-matic tranny.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Well, I should add that the same 2.0L -156hp- gasoline engine as new Forte has would also be nice to see as well. It would deliver even greater fuel economy as 2.0Beta does now (which is already above 30MPG).
February 12th, 2009 at 9:57 am
This is a great looking car, it would be great to see if it comes out in a hard top as well for safety, the black lights give it such a different look.
February 12th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Producing this vehicle could be awesome. You would need it to be semi-capable of real pickup truck usage. make the rear seats weather proof and fold into the bed floor. You also need a way to close off the front passenger area from the bed of the truck. Keeping the rear seats makes it the most versatile vehicle available. You have 4 or 5 passenger seating available or extra cargo volume when that is needed. I’d Buy if they were produced!
February 12th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
well, the rear seats could tumble-fold or removable, leaving a flat cargo area. Pretty much evrythin inside shud b made of weather-proof materials which should be easy to clean incase the adventurous owners gets his shoes in mud/beach sand and a drainin valve in floor if the owner wants wash the floor with water. this means minimal electrical devices in the cabin. is this a bit too unrealistic?
February 13th, 2009 at 3:10 am
more cogs on the transmission, offer nav & a D@MN good sound system like what we’ve heard is in the “normal” soul. & AWD would be nice. take note, kia
you have a lot of fans.
February 13th, 2009 at 3:52 am
I agree with the weatherproof interior deal. Like the Hon-Duh Element’s interior, washable and scrubbable and apparently lovable…to some people, anyway.
February 13th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I want one!!!
February 13th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Even I, ME of all people would actually be interested in a Soul’ster. If it came into production, it would be a hard choice between the Forte Koup and the Soul’ster!
February 14th, 2009 at 11:09 am
as awesome it is with the soul coming in a few weeks I would like to know what happened to a few of the wall features, that I so totally love, andwill they be coming out in the future?
Remember this? http://www.kiamedia.com/secure/images/soul/soul_8.jpg
I do look forward to purchasing my first non-used car from kia, but maybe if I hold out longer I might be getting a soul’ster. Will they really send it into production? I’d really like that space for my laptop.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:49 am
The Soulster is inching towards production as we speak…..
February 17th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
At the show, the Soul’ster was constantly surrounded by people, which made it very hard to snap a good picture. I know I am a couple of days behind on the pictures I promised, but I’ve been busy.
February 18th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I just traded in a Honda Element for a 2009 Borrego. I also own a 2006 Spectra5. If this car was made, and was at all similar to the prototype, I would put a down payment on it right now!
April 4th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
When can i buy one? Make it
April 8th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Build it and we will come…….I want this truck………When are they going into production????Soon I hope…..
May 17th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I want one of these so bad.. Isuzu had the great idea of the Amigo… but Isuzus reliability was horrible. Kia Please make this…
May 24th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I agree with the poster above I want AWD or 4WD too, its a “truck like” automobile and should have a AWD/4WD option. Unless they are only going to manufactor it for those on the west coast, it better be able to get around in snow here in Iowa.
May 25th, 2009 at 4:33 am
I really would like to buy one of these right now!! Please get the soulster into production to sell soon! 4×4 would be nice, but i’ll take a front wheel. Thanks Kia!!
May 31st, 2009 at 5:32 am
I WANT THE KIA SOULSTER!
July 11th, 2009 at 1:04 am
like that car so much,,, I WANT IT
August 26th, 2009 at 12:48 am
I think a two piece removable hard top would be perfect. Something lightweight and easy to store. I drove from Texas to Atlanta GA just to get a hard top for my tracker and it was worth it, but it’s a b*tch to take off and store. Make sure that the windows on the rear passengers’ sides will roll up or down into the body so that storing them won’t be a hassle. Keep the under the floor storage that the original Soul has. Make sure the rear seats fold FLAT and the backs of them are made out of a material that can handle scuffing. Also, mount a full spare on the rear, and offer a rear trailer hitch! This by far has to be the most versitile vehicle I have seen, and if it keeps the fuel economy of the original soul, the Jeep Wrangler will be blown away. People will be saying, “Jeep who?” Kia, please send this to market!
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 am
A build with awd or 4 wheel drive and then an engine with enough torque would be great. I have owned larger trucks all my life and have been looking for something smaller. This looks very fun it just needs to be able to get me through the winter in MN and be able to tow my motorcycle (not a big trailer). Please Kia release this with some form of awd and maybe the Euro Diesel 1.6L engine…. Americans want diesel now too!
December 14th, 2009 at 4:40 am
an AWD option would be great. Maybe even the 2.4L and 5 speed auto from the forte SX? Navigation wouldn’t be bad, but what I’d really like to see is enough room to store the top’s pieces. I have a Jeep Wrangler and its annoying not having enough room to store my windows from my soft top. I’m also not crazy about the original Soul’s interior. Maybe offer a vinyl interior so there would be no worries of them getting wet from the beach and make the designs simple.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:20 am
I was already planning on buying the soul and my husband said I should wait until it has been out for a year and keep looking at other cars in the meantime. I was out looking tonight. I had a few convertibles and a few small SUVs I have been looking at. but nothing looks as good, cute and fun with the room and features the Soul has. Tonight I came home after dealership hopping and went on the KIA website to drool over my soul. I saw a link to concept vehicles that I had not noticed before, so I clicked on it and …WHAAAAAAAAAAAT? The soulster is the answer to my prayers. I have two classic convertibles, and a truck! So this is my kind of car. MAKE IT NOW KIA. Please. I’m all in.
I am already planning on this being my new car, so please, please hurry and get it to market. This little utility convertible is amazing! and if it keeps inline with what KIA has been putting out, it will be reliable, affordable and full of options. Thank you for bringing us a cute, fun and exciting vehicle. This is really something to look forward to.
July 12th, 2010 at 4:58 am
Ok looks awsome but please make the top removeable hard panels… Nothing sucks worse then haveing a drooping top or a crapy plastic back windows…
November 23rd, 2011 at 10:26 am
I have to say I’m very interested in this vehicle wether its a car or truck or suv its very cute & I would be very interested in one. I was hoping it was an all wheel drive but as it is not even built yet maybe you’ll deside to make it all wheel… Thank you ..