Peter Palmer: Kia Telluride Concept Unveiled

Kia Motors America unveiled their full-size SUV at the North American International Auto Show. The Telluride, based on Sorento’s platform, shows Kia’s ability to compete in the SUV marketplace and capitalize on continued growth in the segment.

Revealing Telluride at NAIAS was paramount for Kia.

“The Kia Telluride makes an aesthetic statement for the Kia brand as a bold, all-new luxury SUV with an abundance of advanced technology, focusing particular attention on the experience and comfort of second-row occupants,” said Tom Kearns, Chief Designer, Kia Design Center America.

Telluride’s front doors and rear-hinged back doors swing open 90 degrees in opposing directions. Families might appreciate easy entry and those on along trip might welcome the leather captain’s chairs. All four seats are lined with diamond-cut openings, but not just for looks. Smart Sensors, embedded inside, analyze vital health information and display it on the interior door panel. From there, it synchronizes with a Light Emitted Rejuvenation (LER) system. The LER system utilizes a massive, wing-shaped LED panel mounted beneath the sunroof that displays a pattern of therapeutic lights that treat jet lag, fatigue, and improve energy levels.

Somehow the phrase, “what will they think of next” comes to mind.

At 70.9-inches tall, 79.1-inches wide, and 196.9-inches long, Telluride is 4.4-inches taller, 4.7-inches wider, and a sizable 9.5-inches longer than the current Sorento. The modified Sorento chassis stretches from 11.9 inches to 121.3 inches, giving Telluride a more dominating presence.

“Longer, wider, and taller than the recently redesigned Sorento CUV, Telluride allows us to envision what a full-size, seven-passenger SUV from Kia could look like,” Kearns said.

Kia Telluride is features a 3.5-liter gasoline direct injected V6 engine with an electric motor. A transverse-mounted powertrain combines to produce 400 horsepower (270 from the V6 and 130 from the electric motor) while achieving more than 30 mpg on the highway. The vehicle is all-wheel drive.

As of this writing, Kia Telluride is only a concept. There is no definite word on if Kia will mass produce it.

*Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog.net and resides in Detroit, Michigan.