[New York Auto Show] Kia Unveils 'The New Telluride' World Premiere

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Kia unveiled the significantly enhanced ‘The New Telluride’ at the ‘2022 New York International Auto Show,’ held for the first time in three years. The company plans to officially launch it in the North American market in the second half of the year and intensify its efforts to capture the local SUV market.

‘The New Telluride,’ revealed by Kia on the 13th (local time) at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York during the New York Auto Show, is the first facelift model of the Telluride in three years. Its launch in the North American market is scheduled for the second half of this year.

Based on Kia’s new design philosophy, Opposites United, the company stated that The New Telluride has been reborn with a bold yet human-centered design. The exterior design continues the modern yet robust style of the previous Telluride while emphasizing volume to highlight the authentic outdoor life SUV image that conveys ‘capable of anything, able to go anywhere.’

The front features a tiger nose large radiator grille with a black color technical pattern and vertically arranged projection LED lamps and daytime running lights in the headlamps, which inherit the vertical design. The side smoothly connects the cladding line from front to rear and applies 20-inch black alloy wheels with geometric shapes. The rear maintains the ‘ㄱ’-shaped taillamps and extends the vertical lamps down to the bumper.

The interior design incorporates a 12.3-inch dual panoramic display, and the air vents and satin chrome garnish are horizontally arranged across the left and right sides of the crash pad to enhance visibility.

The New Telluride measures 5000mm in length, 1990mm in width, 1750mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2900mm. It is equipped with a 3.8-liter gasoline engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a maximum output of 291 horsepower (ps) and a peak torque of 36.2 kg.m.

Kia introduced two new Adventure-Ready trims based on The New Telluride for customers who enjoy outdoor life: the ‘X-Line’ and the off-road enhanced ‘X-Pro.’

The ‘X-Line’ trim, embodying the image of a rugged off-road SUV, adds a dedicated exterior color called Jungle Wood Green, inspired by the textures of jungle trees and desert roughness. The rear features an exclusive ‘X-Line’ badge. Compared to the base model, the ground clearance is raised by 10mm to enhance its grandeur, and ride comfort is improved with sway control to prevent vehicle shaking and traction control system (TCS) performance to manage vehicle posture.

The ‘X-Pro’ trim adds outdoor-specialized features to the ‘X-Line.’ It applies exclusive 18-inch black wheels and Continental All-Terrain tires. A 110V inverter is added to the third-row luggage room to facilitate charging smart devices during long trips.

Kia applied an intelligent advanced driver assistance system to ‘The New Telluride.’

First, new features include Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), which warns and adjusts the driving speed to a safe limit when exceeding speed limits detected by the front camera or navigation, and Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), which aids convenient driving on highways and expressways.

Additionally, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) has been enhanced with new collision prevention functions for ▲oncoming vehicles at intersections (JT) ▲cross traffic (JC) ▲oncoming vehicles during overtaking (LO) ▲side approaching vehicles (LS) ▲and evasive steering assist (ESA).

Moreover, ‘The New Telluride’ newly applies ▲Digital Key, allowing vehicle access and remote start control via smartphone applications without a smart key ▲vehicle Wi-Fi supporting up to five connections based on LTE ▲and over-the-air (OTA) wireless navigation updates, enhancing user convenience and usability.

At this New York Auto Show, Kia also introduced ‘The All-New Kia Niro’ to the U.S. market for the first time.

Equipped with the Smartstream G1.6 hybrid engine, it achieves high combined fuel efficiency and incorporates eco-friendly materials and technologies, making it an optimal choice for customers seeking sustainable living in daily life, the company emphasized.

The new Niro features the second-generation Green Zone Drive Mode, which expands electric mode driving when entering green zones and surrounding roads. It also includes advanced driver assistance systems and infotainment and convenience features that surpass its class, such as a head-up display, remote smart parking assist, rear seat occupant alert, and smart power tailgate.

The new Niro will be sold in the U.S. market starting in the second half of the year in three electrified models: hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and electric vehicle (EV).

At the New York International Auto Show, held until the 24th, Kia has prepared approximately 571 pyeong (23,520 ft² / 1,890 m²) of exhibition space, displaying ▲one The New Telluride, four new models including the new Niro Hybrid (HEV), Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Niro Electric Vehicle (EV), ▲one Kia Concept EV9, ▲seven eco-friendly vehicles including the EV6, ▲ten mass-production vehicles such as the Sportage and Carnival, and one E-GMP platform, totaling 23 units.