Unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show, the Kia Soul’ster concept dared to prove basic transportation could also be stylish and interesting.

Three years have come and gone but new information has finally surfaced about the Kia, buried in a press release about the Track’ster concept – set to be unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show next week. Despite previous reports that the Soul’ster convertible has been axed, the Kia release says the convertible crossover is “currently under final assessment for production.”

The original Soulster concept looked like a modern Suzuki Sidekick with a chopped windscreen and an innovative two-piece top that allows passengers to open up the front and rear roof independently. The design also features attractive material finishes such as the anodized metal thick roll-bar, fender vents and skid-pad inserts.

If approved, the Soul’ster should be available with a 1.6L 4-cylinder that delivers 138-hp and a more powerful 2.0L that makes 164-hp.

GALLERY: Kia Soul’ster

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Kia Soul Review

When Kia first unveiled the Soul-based Soul’ster concept at the Detroit Auto Show it almost seemed like a production certainty. But almost a full year since the car debuted and we’ve yet to hear anything more about the unconventional “convertible” version of the compact car/crossover. Now Kia’s design boss is putting his weight behind the project.

“Kia’s internal design community is firmly behind building the Soul’ster,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer of Kia Motors America, to the staff at PickupTrucks.com during an interview at the LA Auto Show. “We’d like to see it happen. There’s no official decision to build it but it’s still possible.”

An unnamed executive at the Korean automaker also told the truck site something about the car’s target demographic, saying that in the 1980s and ’90s, compact pickup trucks (which serve a similar purpose) were popular amongst college student and retirees, but that eventually those trucks became too expensive. In order to target that market again, such a vehicle would have to cost from $10,000 to $15,000. Currently the Soul retails for $13,995. We could also see the Soul’ster conquesting lifestyle buyers from brands like Jeep.

Executives weren’t willing to say any more on the matter but perhaps this year’s Detroit Auto Show will bring more Soul’ster news from Kia.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

It may look like a wild and wacky concept car but Kia may be getting close to building the Soul’ster. The funky convertible, crossover jeep-like thingy debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, just after the Soul went into production.

A little over a year ago, putting the Soul’ster into production would have seemed impossible, but with the success of the Soul it’s more than just a possibility.

After unveiling the Soul’ster concept, Kia made it clear that production was a possibility if there was a genuine interest in the production. And apparently there is.

Kia-World is reporting that according to one Kia official the vehicle has received a “very, very positive” reception.

The Soul’ster would help Kia continue to position itself in the marketplace as a fun, youth-oriented brand – helping draw attention to a new line of products that are also aimed more economy-minded, entry-level consumers.

If the Soul’ster does get the green light for production, it could be on sale in North America as early as 2010.

[Source: Kia-World]

The Kia Soul hasn’t even hit dealerships and already the Korean manufacturer is showcasing a “convertible” version of its box-on-wheels.

Looking somewhat like a cartoon Jeep, or a creation from the Rinspeed design studio, the Kia Soul’Ster was designed to prove that basic transportation can be cool.

While still a concept the Soul production model is certainly affordable with a just-released MSRP of $14,000.

Design cues include a rivet design for the bodywork and a shorted windshield. The two-piece top allows passengers to expose the front and rear independently, using what Kia calls “elbow grease technology.”

While a cute means of transportation the Soul’ster has plenty of masculine designs including the use of anodized metal for the thick roll-bar, fender vents and skid-pad inserts.

The concept features 19-inch wheels and, says Kia, could come with the 1.6-liter or 140hp 2.0-liter engine found in the Soul. A 1.6-liter turbodiesel is also a possibility as it is offered in the Soul in other markets.

Official release after the jump:

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