What's this then?

This is a teaser for the Trail'ster, a concept car that Kia is set to unveil at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show next week.

Can’t really see much of it. What is it?

Can't really see much of it. What is it?

That's sort of the point of teasers...

Ahh, a 'lifestyle' vehicle then?

Yes, sort of. There is something about the Trail'ster being for the 'city-dweller-turned- outdoor-adventurer', but the concept is more interesting that just targeting marketers' favourite demographic. You see the concept features what Kia is calling e-AWD. It has a turbocharged petrol engine up front and an electric motor to provide drive to the rear wheels. Sort of how Mitsubishi works the Outlander PHEV's four-wheel drive system.

A hybrid Kia? Well that's novel.

Quite. Other than the Optima hybrid, Kia has so far shied away from them. Sure, there have been a few concepts but nothing concrete, the Korean firm seemingly going down the all-electric route with the Soul EV. However, not only could this technology be easily modified to give us a four-wheel drive version of that car but it could also feasibly work with the conventionally powered Soul too.

So when are we going to see the Trail'ster again?

Curtains come up at the Chicago Auto Show on Thursday, February 12.

Paul Healy - 6 Feb 2015