Source: http://www.technologytell.com/in-car-tech/10785/kia-sedona-k900-soul-get-day-races-makeover-sema/

The Kia Sedona, Kia K900, and Kia Soul are among the models getting a “day at the races” makeover for SEMA 2014.

The Kia K900 ditches its Morpheus marketing vibe just in time for the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association trade show in Las Vegas to become endowed with a high-performance vibe instead, according to a press release from Kia Motors America. Its role? It’s the crew car that carries the driver and team to the races, the release said.

The Kia K900 to be shown at SEMA reportedly features a custom, one-off body kit with carbon fiber inserts, custom-blended gray paint, blacked-out chrome trim, and 21-inch gloss black wheels, giving the car a look Kia described as “subtly menacing.”

The Kia Sedona is trying to make a comeback after being off the U.S. market for a couple of years. The “Ultimate Karting Sedona,” as a Kia press release called it, is intended as the ultimate kart-hauler — a nod to the fact that many top racers got their start in karting, the release said.

The Kia Sedona gets a karting-inspired makeover for SEMA. (Photo courtesy Kia Motors America)

 

With flashy Kinetic Motorsports Red paint and vinyl graphics that the release said harken to the championship-winning Kia Racing Optimas, the Ultimate Karting Sedona is more eye-catching than your average minivan, we must say. The one-off Kia Sedona also brings 20-inch wheels to SEMA, according to Kia, as well as a custom-built kart rack with space for a CRG Bambino kart and a Fiamma F35 Pro Awning — which would be useful for kart teams who want to tune their kart in the shade.

Displaying something many minivans eschew — we’re looking at you, Nissan Quest — the Kia Sedona on display at SEMA also will feature a custom-built trailer towing a CRG Road Rebel shifter kart. The trailer reportedly is constructed of aluminum and rides on custom white powdercoated 18-inch wheels.

Another “day at the races” themed vehicle coming to Kia’s stand at SEMA is a Kia Soul decked out to the nines in a retro-themed look with a custom teardrop trailer and old-school chrome hubcaps and whitewall tires.  A third Kia press release provided a look at this Kia Soul, but did not provide many details about its customization. We again find it interesting that Kia included a trailer in this display, while towing is traditionally frowned upon in the segment in which the Kia Soul competes. I have a Nissan cube in the driveway that recommends no towing at all.

The Kia Soul gets a retro look to go with the “a day at the races” themed Kia display at SEMA 2014. (Photo courtesy Kia Motors America)

 

Interestingly, the Kia Soul in question is a Kia Soul EV. Kia said it partnered with Smitten Ice Cream Company to produce the custom-built Soul EV for 2014 SEMA Show. So presumably, that little trailer is an ice cream-carrying wagon — sure to be a hit during a hot race day.