2009 Detroit Auto Show: Kia Soul'ster Concept

Nothing like a game of press conference volleyball to take your mind off a snowy day in Detroit. Least that's what the Kia folks believed as they unveiled the Soul'ster concept car (truck?) amid beach balls and ice-cold Corona.

Based on the new five-passenger Soul, Kia calls the Soul'ster an "efficient front-drive car" with an abbreviated truck bed. The Soul'ster gets a shortened windshield, fold-flat rear seats, and manual crank windows.

Power comes from a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, or a 140-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder with either the five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.

Kia estimates fuel economy for both engines at 30 mpg.