Like much of the auto press, we'll be at next week's Chicago Auto Show to see the covers come off the concepts and production cars.
While Chicago has traditionally been a truck show, at least one maker is unveiling a concept for a small and economical--but still sporty and cool--compact car.
The Kia Track'ster Concept, as it's called and punctuated, is essentially a two-door coupe version of the very popular Kia Soul "small box" compact vehicle.
So far, Kia has released only a single teaser sketch (above) of what it calls the "ultimate performance" version of the Soul.
[UPDATE, Mon, Feb 6: Kia has now released a second teaser, below.]
The image shows the concept's low profile, slit-like window line, and three-door hatchback configuration.
Kia has completely redesigned its lineup over the past few years, with a European-inflected design language that focuses on clear shapes and a distinctive grille with pinched upper and lower edges.
Now, the company appears to be evolving its styling idiom to include sportier proportions and crisper, more distinct shapes and accent lines.
![Second teaser for 2012 Kia Track-ster Concept Second teaser for 2012 Kia Track-ster Concept](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/second-teaser-for-2012-kia-track-ster-concept_100381109_l.jpg)
Second teaser for 2012 Kia Track-ster Concept
Kia hasn't said anything yet about the concept's mechanicals; the 2012 Kia Soul comes with a 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. There's also a 164-hp, 2.0-liter option, and new for this year, the transmission offerings are a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic.
But we wonder whether the Track'ster Concept might be fitted with the turbocharged 201-hp, 1.6-liter direct-injection engine found in the 2012 Hyundai Veloster Turbo.
Follow all our news from Chicago next week on our dedicated auto show page.
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