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Kia Telluride concept, BMW 5 Series win IDEA design awards

The Kia Telluride concept, first revealed at last year's Detroit motor show, and the BMW 5 Series, have received bronze medals in the 2017 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA).


Achieving the award in the 'Transportation' category, the Telluride jons several previous Kia concepts and production models in winning an IDEA award, including the Soul crossover and GT4 Stinger concept in 2014, along with the Rio light car in 2012.

Unveiled last year as a full-size, three-row, luxury SUV concept, the Kia Telluride potentially previews an upcoming flagship model from the Korean brand, with an array of upmarket finishes inside and out, along with next-generation technology solutions like smart systems that can monitor a passenger's health information.

Powering the boldly-styled show car is a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine matched to an electric motor, giving a combined output of 298kW. Despite the healthy power output, the company claims the hybrid system can deliver fuel consumption of around 7.8L/100km on the highway.

It's also the first Kia to feature 3D-printed components, which the company says adds "a distinct, modern design element to the dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel".

"The Telluride is a bold statement for Kia, providing a glimpse into how our designers would elevate levels of luxury into Kia’s future SUV lineup," said Peter Schreyer, president and chief design officer for Kia Motors.

"It highlights how our designers are creating compelling concept vehicles as a foundation to lead into production-ready cars. I am very proud of our design team and the award from IDEA. It is a great honor for all of us."

Despite being just a concept, the Telluride highlights that the Korean manufacturer is potentially looking to move into the higher end of the burgeoning SUV market, as it currently doesn't have a proper rival to the likes of the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and numerous other full-size crossovers in global markets.

Last month, parent company Hyundai confirmed it is planning a large SUV to sit above the Santa Fe by the year 2020 - which itself is a twin-under-the-skin to the Kia Sorento - which means that Kia will likely come up with its own version, which the Telluride could preview.

Meanwhile, the new BMW 5 Series (above) also picked up a bronze award in the same category.

In its description on the Industrial Designers Society of America website, the 5 Series is described as the "embodiment of the modern business sedan thanks to its dynamic and simultaneously elegant appearance".

"The interior focuses on balancing dynamic driver orientation with an airy ambience and perfect ease of operation."

"High-quality materials, excellent seating comfort and intuitive operating concepts are the ingredients for relaxed journeys," it says.

'Top Winner' selections in the Automotive & Transportation category went to the Niu M1 electric scooter, and the Scooter For Life. Which won gold and which won silver will be revealed in August.

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