© Rod Hatfield, TheNowDevice
Luxurious Utility
A new design for a 3-row, 7-passenger luxury SUV, the Kia Telluride concept made its world debut in January during press preview days at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. The Telluride is the first look at a bold new design direction for Kia featuring advanced technology, with an emphasis on the comfort and experience of second-row passengers. Given Kia’s history of bringing concept cars to market very close to how they first appeared, the Telluride may be a good indication of what to expect in a future large SUV positioned above the Kia Sorento.
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© Rod Hatfield, TheNowDevice
Muscular Design
Designed at Kia Design Center America in California, the Telluride is built on a stretched Sorento chassis and is 4.4 inches taller, 4.7 inches wider, and 9.5 inches longer than the current Sorento. Finished in Dark Pyrite green paint, the Telluride fascia includes a larger version of Kia’s “tiger nose” grille flanked by recessed quad LED headlights, horizontal LED indicator lights, and a polished-metal skidplate below the bumper. Pronounced wheel arches, 22-inch wheels and thin vertical taillights complete the muscular look.
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© Rod Hatfield, TheNowDevice
Hybrid Powertrain
The hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain is both powerful and efficient, combining a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a powerful electric motor to produce 400 horsepower while achieving 30 mpg on the highway. A fingerprint-activated start-stop button fires up the Telluride. All four seats in the first two rows include a series of diamond-cut openings in the seatbacks that include imbedded Smart Sensors to capture the occupant’s vital health information. The information is displayed on interior door panel screens that synchronize with a Light Emitted Rejuvenation system utilizing a massive, wing-shaped LED panel mounted beneath the sunroof. The LED panel displays a pattern of therapeutic light to treat desynchronosis (jetlag) and improve occupant energy levels.
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© Rod Hatfield, TheNowDevice
Gesture Tech
Telluride also introduces new Swipe Command technology with a thin, touch-sensitive band mounted in the second-row console; rear-seat passengers can select media with the swipe of a hand. The second row passengers can listen through a premium Harman Kardon audio system or via a set of portable Harman Kardon headphones that charge wirelessly when stored in the console. In front, a compartment in the center stack provides wireless cell phone charging. The Dashboard, door panels and steering wheel include Kia’s first use of 3D-printed components.
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© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
2017 Kia Forte
Kia also showed the updated 2017 Kia Forte with a design refresh, new powertrain and advanced technology, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Subtle design changes include a new front bumper and a new tiger nose grille. The 2017 Forte gets power from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine combined with an updated 6-speed automatic transmission. Available driver assistance features including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front Collision Warning, and Dynamic Bending Lights.
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Kia Telluride Concept
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Kia Telluride Concept
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Kia Telluride Concept
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Kia Telluride Concept
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