Sal Collaziano
Staff member
- Massive outdoor off-road course offers breathtaking ride-alongs to experience the eye-popping capabilities of customized Tellurides
- Telluride “Horizon Roamer” harkens to the Rubicon Trail
- Telluride “Cadet Leader” fearlessly blazes the trail less traveled
- Telluride “Desert Drifter” performs in some of the harshest conditions
- Telluride “Baja Glider” tackles the daunting trails south of the border
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 30, 2018 – Following the surprising appearance of Kia’s newest SUV, the upcoming Telluride, at this year’s New York Fashion Week9, the brand known for taking chances returns to SEMA with an outdoor activation that’s bigger and better than ever, eclipsing Kia’s 2017 SEMA drifting experience. 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,” located just outside the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center (Orange lot), promises to leave a lasting impression and will be running through Thursday. 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. 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 customized Stinger GTs around corners and launch the cars from 0-to-60 mph before bringing them to a full stop with the vehicles’ high-performance Brembo brakes.
“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 and we think the Torque Track does that in a very special way.”
Kia partnered with LGE-CTS Motorsports to conceive the four special-built Tellurides and each vehicle has 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 U.S. in the first half of next year.
Telluride Horizon Roamer
With its sights set on the difficult and challenging Rubicon Trail, the Telluride Horizon Roamer takes on the Kia Torque Track with the following modifications:
- Unique Bright Orange paint
- Roof-mounted cargo rack with integrated LED light bar
- Custom front brush guard
- Snorkel for deep-water fording
- Front brush guard and skid plate
- Straight-pipe exhaust
- Black Rhino 32-inch wheels with Milestar Patagonia Mud Terrain tires
Telluride Cadet Leader
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, including:
- Flat Military Green & Black paint
- Rotopak carrier on the rear quarter panels
- Brush guard with skid plate
- Roof rack
- Rear tube bumper with skid plate
- Modified straight pipe exhaust
- Black Rhino 32-inch wheels with Milestar Patagonia Mud Terrain tires
- Amber Halo LED lights
Telluride Desert Drifter
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. Fortunately, the Telluride Desert Drifter is up to the test.
- Desert Military Tan and Black paint
- Hood-mounted Rotopacks
- Brush guard with skid plate
- Roof rack
- Rear tube bumper with skid plate
- Modified straight pipe exhaust
- Black Rhino 32-inch wheels with Milestar Patagonia Mud Terrain tires
- Halo LED light bar
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. But properly equipped with some very tough gear, the Telluride Baja Glider makes a tough drive almost like a walk in the park.
- Deep Black paint
- Forged tube front bumper with skid plate
- Curved LED front light bar and roof-mounted LED light bar
- Custom rear tube bumper with skid plate
- Modified straight pipe exhaust
- Black Rhino 32-inch wheels with Milestar Patagonia Mud Terrain tires
Suspension Modifications
Regardless of each Telluride’s off-road personality, all four have highly modified suspensions that have been purpose-built to handle the rigors of multiple days of abuse on the Kia Torque Track.
- Front suspension:
- KW Motorsports inverted-shaft long-travel McPherson struts with remote reservoirs, linear bearings and 3-way adjustable damping
- 3-inch wider track
- Fabricated lower control arms
- Corrected bump steer and roll center
- 2-inch increased travel
- King hydraulic bump stops, shock tower reinforcements
- Rear suspension:
- KW Motorsports long travel inverted WRC spec shocks with remote reservoirs and 3-way adjustable damping
- 3-inch wider track
- Fabricated multi-link suspension with toe curve and anti-squat correction
- Longer trailing arms for constant geometry
- 1.5-inch increased travel than stock
- King hydraulic bump stops
New York Fashion Week Brandon Maxwell Telluride
A bespoke version of Kia Motors America’s largest and most refined SUV – the upcoming all-new 2020 Telluride – made its first public appearance during fashion designer Brandon Maxwell’s New York Fashion Week show in September and makes its West Coast debut here at SEMA. Created by Kia’s U.S. design studio in Irvine, California, the customized Telluride that appeared on the runway drew influence from Maxwell’s Spring Summer 2019 collection: “Texas.”
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 rearview mirrors and door handles. Outside, the Telluride’s deep green paint reflects the color of the concept vehicle that debuted in Detroit two years ago. Custom front and rear bumpers, skidplates 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 tires wrap around flat-black alloy wheels and the spare tire has been custom mounted to the rear hatch, which opens to a metal- and leather-trimmed cargo area. A custom wood and aluminum roof rack with a beautiful custom leather tow strap tongue provide the perfect finishing touches.
