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Kia pits its 2011 Sportage against itself

Kia features a pair of opposing Sportages and an assortment of Fortes and Souls at the 2010 SEMA Show.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin
2 min read

The blue Kia Sportage work concept features a Droid X cradle and a full wardrobe out back.
The blue Kia Sportage work concept features a Droid X cradle and a full wardrobe out back. Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Today at the 2010 SEMA Show, Kia unveiled a pair of vehicles that, despite being cut from the same cloth, couldn't be more different. These two 2011 Kia Sportages--both customized by Antenna Magazine--pit work against play, Android against Apple, matte against glossy, and red against blue.

Meanwhile, the red Play concept features an iPod Touch and barbecue grill.
Meanwhile, the red Play concept features an iPod Touch and barbecue grill. Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The matte red Antenna Play concept is designed for an active and playful lifestyle with a roof rack for extreme sports equipment. A working barbecue grill shares the rear hatch with a Mac Mini, a storage locker, and a flat-screen television. Molded into the center console is a cradle for an Apple iPod Touch, which supplies media to the custom Memphis audio system (with stock head unit). There are also custom compartments around the cabin for digital cameras and other electronics.

On the other side of the coin is the glossy, metallic Blue Work concept, which is designed for the tech-savvy business professional. Instead of an iPod, this Sportage features a Droid X molded into its center console providing media and Internet connectivity to its passengers. A pair of iPads are mounted to front seatbacks and can be connected to a Bluetooth wireless keyboard for working from the road. The Work Concept's rear hatch is filled with a full wardrobe that holds two suits, a selection of shirts, ties, and shoes, and a rechargeable electric razor. Forget working out of this thing; I want to live out of it!

Kia cars at SEMA 2010

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Also on display at Kia's booth were the production-bound Kia Soul White Tiger special edition (which we're told will make production), a high performance Forte Koupe Type R concept, a Forte sedan hybrid concept, and a Soul Hamstar concept that is inspired by the Hamstar clothing line that was inspired by the Soul's own commercial starring hamsters--try wrapping your head around that one.

Check out our gallery for more photos of Kia's twin Antenna concepts.