What's all this about?
Kia has finally stopped teasing the Telluride concept car it has taken to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and given us full details on it. As well as our first clear look at it, too. Hmm...
What do you mean, 'hmm...'?
Well, it's not exactly pretty, is it? Thought up as a potential flagship that would sit above the company's excellent Sorento seven-seat SUV, this thing is an even bigger seven-seat SUV. Thus, it's 241-, 119- and 112mm longer, wider and taller (respectively) than the Sorento, the Telluride's corresponding dimensions measuring 5,001-, 2,009- and 1,801mm in total. Gargantuan. Finished in Dark Pyrite Green and sitting on a set of 22s, it's certainly imposing - but it's a bit chunky and, well... y'know... American. Which isn't a huge surprise, as the Telluride was penned at Kia's design centre in California.
Ah, that explains it. How about that interior, though?
Yes, that's very nice and it's accessed by doors that hinge at the front and rear of the car, making for a vast opening into the cabin when all four of them are swung wide apart. Each of those four captain's chairs inside features Smart Sensors to capture a passenger's health information. Using a Light Emitted Rejuvenation (LER) system on board, the car can then broadcast therapeutic light that treats jetlag, which in turn boosts the passengers' energy levels. Thus, the Telluride is actually good for your health.
OK, what's powering all this along?
The Telluride concept is a plug-in hybrid that mates a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine to an electric motor. With 270- and 130hp each, that leads to 400hp in total, which is sent to all four wheels. Kia only quotes a very modest economy figure of 36mpg on the motorway, although that's probably more realistic than the 150mpg some PHEV manufacturers try to make out their cars can return...
Will the Telluride go into production?
It's not clear. Kia says it has no plans to build it, but then goes on to claim it has a 'history of delivering production vehicles that bear strong resemblance to preceding concepts', before adding this 'large SUV is anything but a utopian fantasy'. Although we hope the styling gets a tweak if it does get the Dark Pyrite Greenlight...
Matt Robinson - 11 Jan 2016