After a number of teasers Kia has revealed the high-performance Track’ster concept at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

The new concept is not headed for production any time soon, but it previews how far the Kia Soul’s character can be stretched.

Featuring a pumped out, bulging body, the Track’ster extends upon the Soul’s original lines and contours. There’s hugely bolstered wheel arches wrapping around a set of 19-inch racing wheels.

Kia has also added a sporty bodykit, including new front and rear bumper bars both showcasing aggressive air vents on the corners. The front grille is also wide-mouth a carbon fibre item.

As for power, Kia envisages the Track’ster as having a 186kW 2.0-litre turbo engine, sending propulsion to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Inside is upholstered in a similar sporty theme, with suede bucket seats, a suede sports steering wheel, all in a three-tone colour scheme. There’s also a tool kit and spare wheel and tyre taking place in the rear cargo area.

Tom Kearns, Kia Chief Designer, recently summed up the philosophy behind the design, saying that it was created to offer the character of a bulldog.

“The idea was to make the Track’ster tough looking, like a bulldog. But the car had to be approachable as well. We wanted to base the car in reality so people instantly knew it was a Soul, but with a lot of attitude. It had to be a bold interpretation that would change people’s conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be.”