Kia shows off new SUV in NYC

Kia Motors’ next flagship Telluride SUV made an appearance at a New York fashion show last week before its official launch in the United States early next year.

The Korean carmaker’s “largest and most refined” SUV was featured at fashion designer Brandon Maxwell’s New York Fashion Week show on Sept. 8, Kia said in a statement.

“Telluride summits Kia’s SUV lineup and forged a surprising new path with its runway debut at New York Fashion Week,” said Saad Chehab, vice president of marketing communications at Kia Motors America. “Only a brand as forward-thinking as Kia could collaborate with Brandon Maxwell to launch the Telluride ahead of its official debut at the North American International Auto Show in January.”

Developed at Kia’s U.S. design studio, the Telluride is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms in early 2019, the statement said.

As for the actual design of the production Telluride, which is to be launched next year, a company spokesman here claimed the actual car will have a different look compared to the special edition version that was on display at the fashion show.

The car is a full three-row SUV and is bigger than the Sorento crossover.

Yonhap