KIA TELLURIDE

A highlight of the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan was Kia showcasing their brand new Telluride SUV. This will be the largest vehicle ever built by Kia with seating for up to eight people powered by a  291-hp 3.8-liter V6 to provide its owners with a go-anywhere, do-anything attitude when it comes to driving the Telluride. Designed at the Kia Design Center in Irvine, California, the SUV will be assembled in West Point, Georgia. During Detroit's auto show, Kia promoted Telluride as a durable sport utility vehicle built so that passengers will be as comfortable off-roading through rugged terrain as they are cruising along a freeway.

Not only could auto show attendees get a close up look at the Telluride but they could also jump inside one to do some off-roading inside the Cobo Center exhibition hall.  Kia had drivers take passengers around a dirt covered path in a Telluride that had bumps, curves, hills and ruts to demonstrate the rugged appeal of this brand new vehicle.

Join me for a ride in a Kia Telluride:

 VEHICLE DRIVING FEATURES

• Atkinson Cycle LAMBDA II 3.8L V6 GDI engine producing 291 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm 
• 8-speed automatic transmission 
• Four-wheel independent suspension
• Strong, stiff, and torsionally rigid body structure due to the monocoque shell that is composed of 59.4 percent advanced high-strength steel
• Self-leveling rear suspension
• Ride height is automatically calibrated depending on vehicle load to optimize control and stability  
• Choice of four drive modes – Smart, Eco, Sport and Comfort – each using different settings for powertrain, drivetrain, and steering effort mapping to provide the desired driving experience. In addition to the four regular drive modes, drivers can select from two different settings, Snow and AWD Lock, for specific driving conditions 
• Available active on-demand all-wheel drive helps provide enhanced driving performance by actively distributing torque between front and rear wheels depending on road conditions and driver input. The system utilizes electro-hydraulic AWD coupling to precisely activate the multi-plate clutch plate, constantly redistributing the amount of power transferred to the front and rear wheels. During normal driving, power is distributed according to the drive mode selected. “Eco” and “Smart” modes deliver 100 percent power to the front wheels. “Comfort” and “Snow” modes deliver 80 percent power to the front wheels and 20 percent to rear. Sport mode splits the power 65-35 percent between front and back. “Lock” mode delivers power evenly to all four wheels 
• Standard towing rated up to 5,000 pounds 
• Downhill Brake Control (DBC) maintains a controlled descent on steep roads 

VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURES

• 7 airbags (dual front advanced air bags, dual front seat-mounted side air bags, side curtain air bags with rollover sensor, driver's side knee air bag) Antilock braking 
• Vehicle stability management 
• Downhill brake control 
•  Hill-start assist control 
• Tire pressure monitoring system
•  “Kia Drive Wise” Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
•  Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
•  Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection (FCA) 
• High Beam Assist (HBA) 
•  Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
•  Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) 
• Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear (BCA-R) 
• Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) 
•  Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
•  Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) 
• Parking Distance Warning – Forward  and Reverse Surround View Monitor (SVM)

• Highway Driving Assist (HDA): Uses radar systems to interpret lane markings so the vehicle can control steering, acceleration and braking to automatically adjust distance from the vehicle detected ahead. HDA is also designed to recognize speed limits on federal highways and adjust speed accordingly  
• Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear (BCA-R): A camera is designed to track vehicle lane changes and, if it detects an object in the intended path, the BCA-R system applies brake pressure to the front wheel of the opposite side to help maintain the previous course 
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA): An extension of Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW), RCCA may apply brakes if an impending impact is detected 
• Lane Following Assist (LFA): When Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is activated, LFA is designed to monitor lane markings to help keep the Telluride centered in its lane Safe Exit Assist (SEA): In certain situations, if the system detects an object approaching from the rear, SEA will override attempts to deactivate Electronic Child Safety Lock until the detected object has passed
•  Head-Up Display: Added information makes this system especially useful. Provides turn-by-turn navigation, speed and local speed limits, smart cruise control and blind-spot warnings  
• Driver Talk: Uses a microphone to enhance communication with second- and third-row passengers  
• Quiet Mode: Cuts audio output in second and third row so the audio choices of the front occupants are only heard in that row  
• Rear Occupant Alert: Uses ultrasonic sensors designed to detect child or pet movement in the second and third row after the car’s doors have been locked and then can issue audible alerts to the driver

ALL NEW 2020 Kia Telluride

The Telluride looks like a great vehicle to get around in! For more information about it and other vehicles manufactured by Kia CLICK HERE. Specifically designed for the American drivers, the all-new 2020 Kia Telluride made a great debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. Look for it arriving at Kia dealerships later this year.

For more information about Detroit's annual auto show, go to naias.com

Hyundai exhibit at Detroit Auto Show is place to be

** This post was sponsored by She Buys Cars & Hyundai **

There are a lot of dazzling and glitzy vehicles on display at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit for the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). If you are looking to expand your visit beyond just looking at the cars and trucks being showcased, you'll want to make sure to swing by Hyundai's exhibit which has some fun experiences to participate in.  Compete for prizes in a mock game show,  race a Hyundai concept car in a video game or check out the NFL themed activities taking place at the exhibit.  Current Hyundai vehicle owner can also take advantage of nice lounge where you can get off your feet and relax for awhile which is something to appreciate as you'll be doing a lot of walking if you want to see everything being displayed at the auto show.

The Hyundai Swag Competition will have auto show attendees participate in a mock game show taking place at the exhibit for a chance to win some great prizes.  You might want to peruse the HyundaiUSA website if you are interested in competing just in case they ask some trivia questions.  Registration for this contest is first come, first serve with it being limited to 26 contestants per day so you may want to make Hyundai the first stop of your Detroit Auto Show visit.

Test your racing skills as you drive the Hyundai N 2025 concept car during a game of Playstation's Gran Turismo 6.  Players don't use a video game controller to maneuver though, you actually climb into a game-pod that provides gas and brake pedals plus a steering wheel to simulate your racing around a track.  All ages are welcome to participate in the Hyundai Racing Challenge.  Can you achieve the best lap time and earn the #1 spot on the leader board?

Hyundai is an official sponsor of the NFL and they're showing off their ideal football tailgating mobile.  Look in the trunk and you'll find it full of blue miniature footballs.  Correctly guess the number of balls to win some prizes from the National Football League.  You can also play some Madden football while visiting the Hyundai exhibit.

 It is an auto show so of course Hyundai has cars on display for consumers to look over and knowledgeable staff on hand to answer any questions people may have.  One of the models Hyundai is highlighting during the NAIAS is its new IONIQ which is world's first vehicle platform to provide three different electrified powertrain options -- electric / hybrid / plug-in hybrid.  A car's powertrain is the mechanism that transmits the drive from the engine of a vehicle to its axle -- in other words what allows a vehicle to get up and go  .The electric option it completely fueled by battery power.  Hybrids still run on gasoline but utilize battery power to increase the vehicle's fuel efficiency.  A plug-in  hybrid allows the vehicle to be powered just by batteries or alternatively the driver can also utilize the hybrid option use gasoline as fuel as well.  Plus in addition to these three varieties of powertrains, Hyundai is also utilizing the IONIQ as the model for the autonomous vehicle it is developing (self-driving cars are the hot topic at this year's NAIAS).  The IONIQ is the  future of Hyundai and it is on display at NAIAS.

Also take a look at the popular Sonata while you are at the Hyundai exhibit which offers a plug-in hybrid  model as well.  These cars provide the fuel savings of a battery powered electric car with the peace of mind of being able to utilize gasoline when you need to flexibility to drive longer distances so not to be totally dependent on its plug-in charging.  Sonata Plug-in Hybrid's lithium-ion polymer battery pack has the largest capacity of any midsize hybrid sedan with a class-leading all-electric range of approximately 27 miles and an estimated range of 590 miles in its gas/battery hybrid mode.

In addition to visiting the Detroit Auto Show for more information about what Hyundai has to offer consumers, please visit SheBuysCars.com.  This informative website has a section filled with information, news, and reviews of Hyundai's products. SheBuysCars is a community of online automobile writers working collectively to provide information designed to empower women as owners and buyers of cars, help them become more thoughtful about their vehicles capabilities and functionality and to foster a closer relationship between auto manufacturers and female customers.  A Geek Daddy had the great experience of being able to attend the Press Preview Days of this year's  North American International Auto Show to help She Buys Cars share news and highlights from the event.  I'm appreciative that She Buys Cars believed A Geek Daddy's perspective would be a valuable contribution to their coverage of NAIAS 2017 and encourage you to check out their website and social media channels.