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SEMA 2014 | Kia showcases four concepts


Kia unveiled concept versions of the Grand Carnival and Soul at this week's SEMA show.

Most SEMA show cars are modified to go faster, but Kia has taken a marginally different approach with its 2014 concepts. 

Hyundai's efforts include a Genesis coupe that wouldn't look out of place in the Bathurst 12 Hour race, but Kia has unveiled a pub on wheels, an ice cream truck and a mobile garage based on the practical Grand Carnival and Soul models.

  • Ballast Point Sedona concept car Ballast Point Sedona concept car
  • Ballast Point Sedona concept car Ballast Point Sedona concept car
  • Ballast Point Sedona concept car Ballast Point Sedona concept car
  • Ballast Point Sedona concept car Ballast Point Sedona concept car

Ballast Point Sedona

This Sedona has been transformed from a people carrier to a beer carrier. In our corner of the world, the Sedona is better known as the Grand Carnival, the third-generation of which is due to hit our shores next year.

Featuring a redesigned, reinforced, heavy duty roof, plenty of mahogany and storage for up to four kegs of delicious craft beer, the Ballast Point Sedona (Grand Carnival) would be the perfect vehicle to have on the hill at Sydney Motorsport Park while you lap up a sunny afternoon of racing action.

The only downside with the mobile pub is that the designated driver is the only one getting home, naturally all the passenger seats have been removed to maximise beer storage space.

  • Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV
  • Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV
  • Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV
  • Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV

Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV

Need something to compliment the beer? How about nitrogen-chilled ice cream served from the back of an electric car?

While nitrous-oxide is used to fuel high-performance cars, removing the oxygen from the equation means you can use nitrogen to fuel tasty treats.

Much like the Ballast Point pub on wheels, the rear section of the all electric Soul has been gutted to make room for the ice cream equipment and storage space.

It also has a custom trailer, which is joined to the tailgate of the Soul to make a bench from which the -196 degrees Celsius ice cream can be served.

The Smitten Soul also has the traditional waffle-cone speakers on the roof so you can play Greensleeves, or something a bit more contemporary.

  • Ultimate Karting Sedona Ultimate Karting Sedona
  • Ultimate Karting Sedona Ultimate Karting Sedona
  • Ultimate Karting Sedona Ultimate Karting Sedona
  • Ultimate Karting Sedona Ultimate Karting Sedona

Ultimate Karting Sedona

If all this sitting around watching racing and indulging in beer and ice cream has you feeling the need for speed, the Ultimate Karting Sedona concept car is what you need.

Simply hitch the go-kart trailer, throw another go-kart on the roof, grab a mate and head off to the nearest track.

The two of you will have all you need for a day of racing, with the back of the Sedona (Grand Carnival) transformed into a garage complete with tools, race gear and checkerboard rubber floor.

You don't even need to bring a marquee, as the custom roof racks contain an awning to keep the sun and rain away while you prepare your machinery for the on-track battle.

  • High-Performance K900 High-Performance K900
  • High-Performance K900 High-Performance K900
  • High-Performance K900 High-Performance K900
  • High-Performance K900 High-Performance K900
  • High-Performance K900 High-Performance K900
  • High-Performance K900 High-Performance K900

High-Performance K900

The K900 (or Quoris as it's known in some parts) is Kia's equivalent of the Hyundai Genesis, and a car that isn't sold here. It's a bit of a shame, because this high-performance concept - developed by Kia racing drivers Mark Wilkins and Nic Jönsson - looks a bit swish.

The 5.0-litre V8 engine has had twin turbochargers added underneath the boot (yup, underneath the boot. It helps reduce heat, they say) to bump the power output from 313kW to 485.

The lowered sports suspension, 21-inch gloss black alloys and bright red brake callipers give the K900 a sleek, sporty look.

Inside there are tan leather seats with black suede accents and 11-inch seatback monitors for the rear passengers that show footage from iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations. Which is grand if videos of motor racing video games are your thing.

In the boot, along with a viewing porthole so you can see the turbochargers, are custom compartments to store your racing gear, presumably if you've run out of space in the Ultimate Karting Sedona.

  • Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima
  • Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima
  • Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima
  • Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima

Pirelli World Challenge GTS Optima

So why the focus on motorsport? Well, Kia are celebrating winning the manufacturer championship for the GTS class of the Pirelli World Challenge in the US this year.

And joining the concept cars on display at the SEMA show is the No.30 GTS Optima that was driven by Mark Wilkins throughout the season, finishing third in the drivers' standings.

Being a production series, the GTS Optima features the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the road-going Optimas available in the US. In Australia, the Optima only comes with the 148kW/250Nm naturally aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine.

However the front-wheel drive Optima has been tuned so it produces 274kW, which is 126kW more than the Australian road-going models.

The six-speed sequential transmission helps the 1300kg GTS Optima hit a top speed of 260km/h.

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