NAIAS: Kia unveils Telluride concept SUV featuring 3D printed parts

Kia has revealed the Telluride concept SUV it has been teasing over the past few days at the Detroit Motor Show. The new model is as large as it looks in pictures, standing 1800mm tall, 2029mm wide and 5001mm long powered by a direct injection 3.5-litre V6 that produces 270bhp, mated to a 130bhp electric motor.

One of the unique technologies introduced in Telluride is Swipe Command – a thin, touch-sensitive, interactive band mounted to the second row centre console – which allows rear-seat passengers to quickly scroll and select desired media by simply swiping their hand.  The selected media is then played either through the seven-speaker premium Harman Kardon audio system, or via a set of portable headphones that wirelessly charge when stowed in the console. Up front, a compartment in the centre stack allows for wireless cell phone charging, and Kia’s first use of 3D-printed components add a futuristic design element to the dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel. 

The SUV runs on 22-inch five-spoke wheels and flaunts a muscular profile that has been designed by Kia’s Design Centre America. The primary focus has been placed on making the Telluride as practical as possible, so the rear doors swing open a full 90 degrees in opposing directions, and there are three rows of seats inside. The middle seats can fold down almost flat, suggesting the SUV has been designed with long distance driving in mind, and there’s a new touch-sensitive infotainment system with wireless charging - which previews what’s to come in forthcoming models.

Kia says there are no plans to put the Telluride into production, but it might be experimenting with the idea of building a similarly sized vehicle for the US market.

More from Detroit Motor Show:

- Ford unveils lightweight EcoBoost engine concept

- BMW launches X4 M40i SUV

- Mercedes reveals new E-Class; to be showcased at NAIAS

- Ford unveils all-wheel drive and hybrid versions of Fusion

- Lexus reveals LC 500 coupe

- Infiniti Q60 coupe revealed