The all-new Kia Rondo people mover and the red-hot Soul-based Kia Track’ster concept will headline the South Korean manufacturer’s stand at next week’s 2012 Sydney motor show.
Kia Australia confirmed the impending unveiling of both cars to local media at today’s launch of the updated Kia Sorento SUV.
Although a production version of the Track’ster remains up in the air, Kia will test the waters with the funky two-door coupe in Australia and gauge the public’s reaction to a sportier version of the quirky Soul hatchback.
The curvy Kia Track’ster concept pushes the boundaries of the boxy Soul, sporting an aggressive body kit with pumped wheel arches, and a gaping mouth and rear diffuser in a package that Kia chief designer Tom Kearns says looks tough, “like a bulldog”.
The Track’ster teams a 186kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a six-speed manual transmission to send power to all four wheels.
The new Kia Rondo (revealed in Paris as the Carens) will join the Track’ster in Sydney, giving Australians a preview of the compact seven-seater ahead of its local launch around April next year.
The 2013 Rondo takes a generational leap forward from the outgoing model in the styling department, sporting sharp, elegant exterior lines and a modern interior with new technology and extra cabin and boot space.
A 103kW/211Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine will be offered from launch, while CarAdvice also understands a 100kW/330Nm 1.7-litre diesel alternative is also on Kia Australia’s wish list.
The 2012 Australian international motor show kicks off on Thursday, October 18.