Kia has used New York Fashion Week to unveil a
customized version of the 2020 Telluride. Jointly created with fashion
designer Brandon Maxwell, the one-off model previews the production crossover
which will debut at the North American International Auto Show in January.
Kia didn’t say much about the production Telluride,
but this modified version has custom bumpers, rugged skid plates and a
front-mounted winch. Other off-road touches include a snorkel, recovery hooks
and 20-inch wheels which are wrapped in meaty tires.
The crossover also has a rear-mounted spare tire
carrier and a custom roof rack that is constructed out of wood and aluminum.
Last but not least, the Telluride has rocker guards and a ladder that provides
easy access to the roof rack.
The interior largely carries over from the
production model, but it has been equipped with a number of unique touches.
These include natural wood trim and saddle-inspired leather upholstery on the
steering wheel, dashboard and door panels. Kia also said the cargo area
features leather trim and metal details.
The 2020 Telluride will be launched early next year
and it will offer seating for up to eight people. The model will be built at
the company’s plant in West Point, Georgia and it will compete with other large
crossovers such as the Chevrolet Traverse and Subaru Ascent.
It will slot above the Sorento and Kia hinted the
Telluride is “several inches longer and wider” than its smaller counterpart.
Kia also confirmed the model will be offered with a V6 engine. There’s no word
on performance specifications, but the Sorento has a 3.3-liter V6 that develops
290 hp and 341 Nm of torque.
