Kia teases electric Trail'ster SUV

Kia has revealed yet another teasing image of the zero-emission SUV concept that it will launch at the Chicago motor show later this month.

Called the Trail’ster, the full electric all-wheel drive SUV is based on the current Soul EV.

Created for what Kia calls the “city dweller turned outdoor adventurer”, the new electric SUV says the Korean brand promises “sure-footedness in the wild.”

Re-engineering the current Soul EV by adding a compact rear axle that incorporates a rear-mounted electric motor, the new Trail’ster promises to go further than any other current EV off road.

That compact electric-powered rear axle is set to reappear later on in other Kia and Hyundai models as it’s been developed to help easily create hybrid versions of existing petrol or diesel small cars.

It’s difficult to actually tell what the Trail’ster will actually look like in the flesh but Kia promises a “bold design” and a fully retractable roof. Safe to say, from the latest teaser pic expect plenty of plastic cladding and other faux 4x4 detailing to give the illusion of its added toughness.

Despite being unveiled at the Chicago motor show on 12 February as a concept, it’s expected the Trail’ster will soon enter full production and for it to sit in its own electric 4x4 niche beside the existing Soul EV.

So far there’s no word on either car coming to Australia so a zero-emission SUV we can buy might be some way off.