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Following the surprising appearance of Kia’s newest SUV, the upcoming Telluride, the Korean automaker has gone bigger and better at the SEMA show.
Designed as a thrill ride for those brave enough to jump into the passenger seats of four highly modified Tellurides, Kia's 2018 "Torque Track" promises to leave a lasting impression.
All things custom
The custom off-road course puts these Tellurides through their paces, including a jump, mountain climb and water incursion - all showcasing their off-roading potential.
READ: Kia Motors set to debut a one-of-a-kind Stinger and luxurious K900 at the SEMA car show
Meanwhile, back by popular demand, professional Formula Drift drivers will provide ride-alongs, granting those with an adrenaline addiction the opportunity to be pinned against Stinger GT’s race-inspired seats.
Drivers will effortlessly slide customised Stinger GTs around corners and launch the cars from 0 to 100km/h before bringing them to a full stop with the vehicles’ high-performance Brembo brakes.
Image: Motorpress
"We surprised everyone with Telluride’s special appearance in New York earlier this year. We showed its stylish swagger on a fashion runway and now, at SEMA, we are showcasing the vehicle’s more rugged side," said Saad Chehab, Vice President, Marketing Communications, Kia Motors America.
"Of course, a production Telluride won’t be able to fly over extreme jumps like these modified versions, but we want the SEMA attendees to get to know Kia as the youthful brand we are. We think the Torque Track does that in a very special way," he added.
Showcasing the all-new KIA Telluride
Kia partnered with LGE-CTS Motorsports to conceive the four special-built Tellurides, each with its own distinctive design and style. Themed after different off-road environments, all four are powered by a stout V6 engine with all-wheel drive.
The interiors showcase Telluride’s exquisite materials and craftsmanship and offer a quiet respite from the hectic SEMA show experience. Set to debut in its production form at the upcoming 2019 North American International Auto Show, the 8-occupant Telluride is planned to go on sale in the US in the first half of next year.
Image: Motorpress
With its sights set on the difficult and challenging Rubicon Trail, the Telluride Horizon Roamer takes on the KIA Torque Track with unique Bright Orange paint, a roof-mounted cargo rack with integrated LED light bar, a custom front brush guard, a snorkel for deep-water fording, a front brush guard and skid plate, a straight-pipe exhaust and Black Rhino 32" wheels with Milestar Patagonia Mud Terrain tyres.
Trailblazing is the kind of off-roading that can get very tricky, very quickly. An unseen drop, an off-camber articulation, a break-over that rips out the oil pan, being in front of it all requires some specialized equipment.
Image: Motorpress
The Telluride Cadet Leader is ready for this and features flat Military Green & Black paint, a Rotopak carrier on the rear quarter panels, a brush guard with skid plate, a roof rack, a rear tube bumper with skid plate, a modified straight pipe exhaust, Black Rhino 32" wheels with Milestar Patagonia Mud Terrain tyres and amber Halo LED lights.
One of the most hostile off-road environments lies just outside the glittering lights of Las Vegas, and if your vehicle isn’t up to the challenge, it can mean serious consequences.
Image: Motorpress
Kia addressed this challenge with the Telluride Desert Drifter, which features Desert Military Tan and Black paint, hood-mounted Rotopacks, a brush guard with skid plate, a roof rack, a rear tube bumper with skid plate, a modified straight pipe exhaust, Black Rhino 32" wheels with Milestar Patagonia Mud Terrain tires and a Halo LED light bar.
Completing the showcase is the Telluride Baja Glider. Don’t let the name fool you: "gliding" south of the border through Mexico’s legendary off-road countryside simply doesn’t happen.
Image: Motorpress
But properly equipped with some very tough gear, the Telluride Baja Glider makes a tough drive almost like a walk in the park. It features Deep Black paint, a forged tube front bumper with skid plate, a curved LED front light bar and roof-mounted LED light bar, a custom rear tube bumper with skid plate, a modified straight pipe exhaust and Black Rhino 32" wheels with Milestar Patagonia Mud Terrain tyres.
Regardless of each Telluride’s off-road personality, all four have highly modified suspensions that have been purpose-built to handle the rigours of multiple days of abuse on the KIA Torque Track.
Image: Motorpress
Front suspension modifications include KW Motorsports inverted-shaft long-travel McPherson struts with remote reservoirs, linear bearings and 3-way adjustable damping, a 3-inch wider track, fabricated lower control arms, corrected bump steer and roll centre, 2" increased travel, King hydraulic bump stops, and shock tower reinforcements.
At the rear, it features KW Motorsports long travel inverted WRC spec shocks with remote reservoirs and 3-way adjustable damping, a 3" wider track, fabricated multi-link suspension with toe curve and anti-squat correction, longer trailing arms for constant geometry, 1.5" increased travel than stock and King hydraulic bump stops
Joining the four modified Tellurides at SEMA is another bespoke version, which first made its public appearance during fashion designer Brandon Maxwell’s New York Fashion Week show in September. The one-of-a-kind Telluride provides a thought-provoking glimpse into the creative process that takes place when designers in separate industries collaborate.
This specially tailored Telluride includes several nods to Maxwell’s Texas roots, including natural wood interior trim and saddle-inspired double-stitched leather adornments on the dash, door panels and grab handles.
Similar leather details cover the outside rear view mirrors and door handles. Outside, the Telluride’s deep green paint reflects the colour of the concept vehicle that debuted in Detroit two years ago. Custom front and rear bumpers, skid plates and sidestep sills exude a ranch-ready look that’s backed up with a hidden winch and a snorkel for deep-river fording.
Burly 265/50R-20 off-road tyres wrap around flat-black alloy wheels. The spare tyre has been custom mounted to the rear hatch, which opens to a metal- and leather-trimmed cargo area. A custom wood and aluminium roof rack with a beautiful custom leather tow strap tongue provide the perfect finishing touches.
The new Forte (Cerato) GT
KIA will also spread its amazing product looks and muscle inside SEMA with the debut of its new performance Forte, the GT (known as the Cerato in certain markets).
The GT trim is fitted with a 150kW turbocharged engine, fully independent front and rear suspension and growling sport-tuned exhaust – all direct from the factory to the show floor.
Image: Motorpress
Available 18" high-performance Michelin Sport summer tyres mounted on GT-exclusive two-tone alloy wheels, LED headlights, projector fog lights, GT-exclusive black sport grille with red highlights, gloss black power outside mirrors, sport side sills and rear spoiler help set this hot sedan apart from the crowd.
An available 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, alloy sport pedals, leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, elevate the driving characteristics of this compact sedan to an all-out sports sedan.
Available "Sofino" GT sport seats with contrasting piping and performance side bolster, an available power sunroof with LED interior overhead lighting, and LED ambient interior lighting with illuminated GT dash inlay advance the performance GT’s vigorous spirit.
Queensland Police Stinger
When Australia’s Queensland Police needed a new fleet of pursuit vehicles, they went all-in on the Stinger. Citing the fastback’s performance during rigorous testing, Queensland police will put 100 Stinger GTs into service over the next 12 months.
Testifying to the Stinger’s build quality, the only modification Queensland Police made to the Australian-spec Stinger is a plug-and-play wiring loom to accommodate the police electronics.
Image: Motorpress
Otherwise, everything is standard—engine, brakes, suspension, etc. Queensland Police added special equipment, such as radios, emergency lights, and other equipment. Assistant Queensland Police Service Commissioner (Road Policing Command) Mike Keating said the selection process was extensive.
"It started with the desktop evaluation, then a track performance evaluation and then the operational evaluation conducted in real-world conditions.
"The final overall evaluation and review included the very important aspect of maintenance and cost. The Stinger performed very well in all areas and we had nothing but top reports from all the field officers. The result is a road-policing first for us, the first foreign car to perform these duties," he added.
DUB Kia Stinger GT
DUB has made a series of menacing modifications that take Stinger GT to unexpected places inside, outside and under the hood.
Wrapped in Avery Brushed Steel with carbon fibre accents, the wide-body Stinger rolls on 22" staggered Dropstars forged wheels riding on 245/30-22 Nitto Tires (front) and 265/30-22 Nitto Tires (rear).
Image: Motorpress
A stunning red leather and black suede upholstery upgrade the Stinger’s already outstanding driver-focused cockpit, and custom exhaust and air intake give the rapid Stinger GT even more muscle. Meanwhile, a custom audio system, LED lighting, underhood dress-up kit, air suspension and DUBiR tinted windows further prove that no detail was missed per DUB’s exacting clientele.
DUB Kia K900
Fans of DUB’s distinctive style will love the transformation this luxury salon has undergone. KIA’s K900 provided the perfect canvas for DUB to unleash its creativity on this uninhibited custom ride.
Image: Motorpress
Veiled in electric blue, the widebody K900 features gloss black accents. Not to be outdone, the cockpit has been elegantly detailed with custom blue and black leather and suede upholstery, DUBiR tinted windows, and remote-controlled LED headliner and lighting.
Riding on an air suspension to provide that perfect DUB look, this custom K900 rolls on 24-inch staggered TIS forged wheels and 275/25/24 Nitto tires. A specially developed multimedia audio system, remote-controlled LED lighting, and MiFi Internet capability make the DUB K900 a rolling paradise.
Kia Forte Federation
KIA’s hot Forte Federation furthers Kia’s commitment to the aftermarket industry with a veritable cornucopia of performance and design enhancing accessories.
Image: Motorpress
The unique vehicle is outfitted with parts from leading aftermarket suppliers, including aggressive aerodynamic components by Air Design such as a rear deck spoiler, rear diffuser, side skirts, front lip spoiler and front air curtains which all provide a stunning contrast for the Livid Lime paint scheme.
A cold air intake by K&N coupled with an axle-back performance exhaust by Borla makes this Forte scream. Meanwhile, progressive-rate sport springs by Eibach, 19" "Mosport" wheels by TSW and ultra-high-performance tires by Falken enhance handling. Adding fuel to the aftermarket fire, these parts and accessories will be available for purchase from the respective suppliers.
Kia Forte Drift Car
Kia’s Forte Drift Car was developed in partnership with Red Bull, the star of KIA’s recent ad campaign. Built from a production Forte EX, this particular compact sedan was modified into a monster.
Image: Motorpress
Kia shoehorned Stinger GT’s twin-turbo V6 into the Forte, but the twin-turbo V6 now points North-South. With some tricky engineering, this Forte has become a 280kW rear-wheel drive beast with a custom intake manifold, six-speed sequential transmission, quick-change rear differential and a hybrid drift/grip suspension that begs to be drifted.
This one-of-a-kind vehicle also features a hydraulic rear handbrake, custom widebody aerodynamics and a roll cage. Red Bull and Race Service brought this fantasy into reality.
