2009 Detroit Auto Show: Kia Soul'ster

STORY TOOLS
Digg this	del.icio.us

DETROIT — The Kia Soul'ster may be more than just a pie-in-the-sky concept. Based on the 2010 Soul that begins arriving this spring at Kia's U.S. dealers, the Soul'ster seems like a logical spin-off — and looks surprisingly production-ready.

The four-passenger open-air concept combines elements of a mini-pickup and a roadster. The front-wheel-drive two-door features a two-piece top, a lowered windshield and "flying buttress" roll bars that extend from the roof to the tail. The Soul'ster also gets a unique front fascia, with an anodized skid pad insert and LED headlamps. Other exterior cues include dual chrome exhaust pipes with polished aluminum tips, plus 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.

Inside, the cockpit sports cantilevered seats, old-fashioned hand-crank windows and ample storage compartments.

Engine choices include a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a 140-hp 2.0-liter unit.

Inside Line says: One of the few pleasant surprises for the Detroit show. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent