Motortrend examines making of Kia’s Track’ster concept

Motortrend has included a comprehensive step-by-step guide exploring the process through which Kia built its Track'ster concept car in its April edition.

The study, complete with a detailed photo timeline, tracks the progress of the concept vehicle from the original idea right the way through to the car's unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show.

The Track'ster was originally pitched as a turbo four-cylinder all-wheel-drive sports car and is based on the production version of the Kia Soul, which was the company's second-best-selling vehicle of 2011.

In June 2011 Kia called upon its design team to produce ideas for a new concept vehicle for them to display at the Chicago Auto Show. Out of this simple brief emerged 20 to 30 ideas, but the original design for the Track'ster impressed enough of the team to be selected.

Motortrend has spoken to the people who were integral to the conception and production of the Track'ster: designers Ray Ng and Matt Zoller, developed the very first sketches of the concept; design managers Erik Klimisch and Enrique Giner, who oversaw the Track'ster's exterior and interior respectively, and Tom Kearns, Kia Motors America's Chief Designer.

The Track'ster, for all the complexities involved in the design of production of the concept, only took nine months from the initial idea to its display at Chicago.

To read the full step-by-step guide to building a concept car visit Motortrend's website.

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Kia Track'ster concept

By Rufus Thompson