Kia adds a sporty touch to the 2014 Soul with this new Red Zone edition.

Kia Motors America is joining the parade of manufacturers offering specialty performance-oriented models with its new “Red Zone” line.

The first model to carry the designation will be the 2014 Kia Soul Red Zone, which draws some of its inspiration from the Track’ster concept vehicle unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The “Red Zone” edition of Soul is slated to reach showrooms during the first quarter of 2014.

“The Soul has always appealed to those who choose to express their individuality through their vehicle, and special editions have been a part of the lineup since the first-generation Soul went on sale in 2009,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.

The Kia Track'ster concept vehicle.

The Soul has been one of Kia’s most popular models since its introduction and Kia has been offering a variety of special editions since then to maintain momentum. A new version of the Soul made its debut this fall as a 2014 model.

Based on the 2014 Soul Plus, the “Red Zone” Soul features a white exterior paintjob and a body kit featuring red accents, including treatment on the front grille, front and rear fascias, and side skirts. The package also includes 18-inch alloy wheels.

(Kia promises 124-mile range from Soul EV. Click Herefor the story.)

Kia also touched up the interior of the Red Zone Soul, starting with black cloth seats featuring red stitching, leather steering wheel, black-leather dash hood with red stitching, black carpeted floor mats with red piping, and sport pedals. The shift knob ring, air vent ring, dash speakers and console tray trim have all been dipped in red paint, continuing the “Red Zone” theme.

While the new model may be showing a sporty side, the new Soul Red Zone is all show, not go.  Power comes from Kia’s 164 horsepower 2.0-liter gasoline direct injected four-cylinder engine which will be mated to a six-speed transmission.  It remains to be seen if the maker might eventually fit its 250-horsepower turbo engine under the hood of another Soul special edition.

Production of the Red Zone edition will be limited to 2,000 units, Sprague said. The Korean carmaker has not yet announced pricing for the new model.

(Kia reveals five Soul concepts at SEMA. Click Herefor a closer look.)

Carmakers have been promoting more and more personalized, performance-oriented, limited-edition vehicles in recent years. Vehicles such Volkswagen’s “R” Series and Chrysler’s SRT edition offer a way to boost transaction prices while also increasing brand visibility and owner loyalty.