In short, the KIA Trail’ster concept is a stylish e-AWD turbocharged CUV, based entirely on the brand’s iconic Soul model. It’s cute, capable and very efficient.

Perhaps it was only fitting that KIA chose to unveil their Trail’ster concept at the Chicago Auto Show. It can be a great companion for you during those tough Illinois winters thanks to its smartly integrated electric all-wheel drive system and compact proportions.

Conceived in KIA’s Irvine, California, design studio, the Trail’ster concept is based on the Soul CUV and features a bold, rugged design while wearing a Polar Pearl Snowdrift exterior paint job, in contrast with its Terra Bronze Metallic roof.

We have to admit, it looks pretty cool, sort of like an overgrown Mars Rover – it does look like it could get that job done, doesn’t it? The Trail’ster also uses advanced LED technology both in the front and at the back, and wears aluminum skidplates which provide protection from jagged rocks and ice.

Inside you have your brown leather-trimmed seats, high gloss paint and metallic trim, but perhaps it’s best interior feature is the fully retractable weatherproof rollback canvas roof which lets you enjoy the outdoors in the best way possible.

“The Train’ster concept is a near-future look at how the production KIA Soul would logically evolve into an AWD-capable version that’s built to escape the city streets and roam into the mountain wilderness,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer KDCA. “It takes the go-anywhere capability of an SUV and reimagines it within a compact and sporty package with an expressive design to match.”

And go-anywhere you should thanks to its 1.6 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine, putting down 185 HP and 185 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque, and of course its electric all-wheel drive system on the rear axle intended for low speed assist, enhanced launch acceleration and improved traction in bad weather or low grip situations.

This system also improves fuel economy and helps reduce turbo lag by providing instant torque when accelerating. The Trail’ster’s e-AWD system draws energy from a 1.2 kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery powering a 27 kW, 270 volt AC synchronous permanent magnetic electric motor, outputting 35 HP and 100 lb-ft to the rear wheels, giving the car an overall power output of 220 HP and 285 lb-ft (386 Nm). There’s also a Hybrid Starter Generator function (start/stop) and an electrically driven A/C compressor which can run when the engine is shut off.

The e-AWD system engages under light throttle as the motor drives the car solely for a range of two to three miles, but also under normal driving by assisting the 1.6 liter turbo unit when in need of stronger acceleration. It give you better traction as well when you start going off road or you’re simply driving on a slippery surface.

If rough terrain is your “friend”, then you’ll be happy to hear that the Trail’ster has been raised more than two and a half inches over the production Soul – which isn’t the type of car you’d want to take with you into an unfriendly environment.

The Trail’ster sits on a set of Pirelli Winter Carving 245/45-19 snow tires and utilizes KSport coilover shocks to absorb the impact of rough, uneven ground and rocky surfaces.

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