KIA has launched its new Telluride SUV in the region. The Telluride is designed to provide comfortable seating for up to eight occupants and comes packed with a powerful 291 hp 3.8-liter V6 engine. It also offers optional active on-demand all-wheel drive, and an inspiring view of the world.

The Telluride’s sophisticated exterior accents also hint at its interior luxury. Its main design cues include a long, broad hood and wide ‘tiger-nose’ grille at the front, hinting at its significant power. These are matched by bold, stacked headlamps designed to convey power and stability, and inverted L-shaped LED tail lamps.

Elongated Telluride nameplates on the leading edge of the hood and on the tailgate provide a distinctive identity for KIA’s flagship SUV, and, in profile, its upright windshield and clean side profile convey a degree of muscular tension. A sculpted rear skid plate, with integrated twin exhaust tips, reference the car’s off-road ability and power.

Inside, the Telluride’s cabin is designed to continue the impression of upscale exploration. Grab handles are integrated into the center console, suggestive of journeys off the beaten track, while its wide console is finished in premium materials.

The Telluride is powered by KIA’s Atkinson Cycle ‘Lambda II’ 3.8-liter V6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine, producing 291 hp at 6,000 rpm and 355 Nm (36.2 kg-m) of torque at 5,200 rpm. Paired with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, the Telluride offers a choice of four drive modes – Smart, Eco, Sport and Comfort.

The Telluride also offers optional active on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) to maximize driver confidence everywhere. The AWD system enhances the car’s driving performance by actively distributing torque between front and rear wheels depending on road conditions and driver inputs. It utilizes an electro-hydraulic AWD coupling to precisely activate the multi-plate clutch, continuously redistributing power to each axle.

In normal driving conditions, power is distributed according to the drive mode selected. ‘Eco’ and ‘Smart’ modes deliver 100% of the engine’s power to the front wheels in normal conditions, while ‘Comfort’ mode delivers 80% of the power to the front and 20% to the rear wheels. ‘Sport’ mode offers a 65:35 torque split between front and rear axles.

The Telluride also represents the first application of KIA’s new Multi Terrain Control system, enabling drivers to select from three different modes for specific driving conditions: ‘Mud’, ‘Sand’ and ‘Snow’. ‘Snow’ mode limits wheel slip on icy or snowy roads to ensure stability, while ‘Mud’ mode allows for more aggressive torque application while limiting transmission upshift, helping wheels to spin to maintain momentum in mud. ‘Sand’ mode prevents wheels digging into sand by distributing optimal levels of torque to each wheel.

Optional self-levelling rear suspension automatically calibrates the Telluride’s ride height depending on vehicle load, to further optimize control and stability (optional on GT-Line models). Accompanying its fully-independent suspension is a strong, and rigid body structure, with a monocoque shell composed of 59.4% advanced high-strength steel. Engineered to minimize vibrations throughout the body for greater comfort on the road, the rigid body also supports the Telluride’s collision safety performance.

The dashboard is finished in simulated brushed metal and matte-finished wood, while seats can be specified with double-stitched, quilted and extra-padded Nappa leather upholstery. The leather-wrapped steering wheel offers tilt and telescopic adjustment, and is also available with heated elements, as well as optional heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats.

The third-row seats offer a reclining function for passengers, enabling them to find their ideal seating position. The Telluride’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system features ceiling vents throughout the car, increasing comfort with a wider spread of airflow to all corners of the cabin, while the second-row is fitted with its own ceiling-mounted climate control panel. Furthermore, the interior is equipped with hooks to keep packs and bags off the floor and away from occupants’ feet.

The KIA Telluride is packed with a suite of advanced technologies, including the KIA ‘DRIVE WiSE’ suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), and a long list of standard and optional equipment. As KIA’s flagship SUV, the Telluride features a comprehensive array of ADAS innovations to enhance safety and aid driver confidence. Other features include:

• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection (FCA)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)

The Telluride is also the first KIA SUV to be available with the company’s latest active safety innovations, including Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear (BCA-R). BCA-R uses a camera to track vehicle lane changes and, if it detects an object in the intended path, applies brake pressure to the front wheel on the opposite side to help maintain the previous course. In addition, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA) can apply the vehicle’s brakes if an impending impact is detected, while Lane Following Assist (LFA) is designed to monitor lane markings to help keep the Telluride centered in its lane when Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is activated. Finally, Safe Exit Assist (SEA) is also available as an option. In certain situations, SEA detects an object approaching from the rear, and overrides attempts to deactivate the Electronic Child Safety Lock until the detected object has passed.

The Telluride is available with KIA’s new 10.25-inch color touchscreen system with rear view monitor and parking guidance, and can be specified with a powerful 630-watt, 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system (AM/FM) with Quantum Logic Surround Sound and Clari-Fi technology, which can restore the rich, original sound of music lost during the digital audio compression process.