SEMA 2016: Self-driving Kia show cars debut

Car shows may never be the same, now that Kia has shipped to SEMA in Las Vegas five customised cars that preview the autonomous future.

Kia hasn't specifically indicated whether the vehicles are actually autonomous in any way, shape or form – or just a series of rolling sculptures. Kia's American CEO, Michael Sprague, shed no light on the matter.

"Over the course of our 22 years in the U.S. market, we've watched with pride as our vehicles have helped people live their active and diverse lifestyles," Sprague was quoted saying in a press release.

"This year's SEMA show gives us the opportunity to ponder what the future of living the autonomous life may one-day resemble."

The five cars are named Niro Triathlon, School of Rock Sedona, Sorento Ski Gondola, Soul First Class and the Telluride hybrid SUV concept – previously launched at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year.

As the name indicates, the Niro Triathlon is a concept based around the diverse motoring needs of triathletes. Customised by LGE-CTS Motorsports, the show car started out as a Niro cross-over SUV, but quickly had its roof removed to make way for a bike rack, tool box and tablet compute mount. On the passenger side (our driver's side), it has also had the B pillar cut out to allow easier access on that side. The rear door is modified to hinge from the rear – suicide-door fashion – and the front door has also been tweaked for wider opening. Both doors open to 90 degrees, Kia says.

Lowered two inches, the Niro Triathlon is shod with 265/35 R18 Dunlop Direzza tyres on 18-inch Method Rally Race alloy wheels. As the Niro Triathlon drives to the start of the next event, the athlete can relax in a Human Touch zero gravity ergonomic reclining chair on the passenger side.

LGE-CTS Motorsports also customised the School of Rock Sedona, which is based on the Kia's people mover, which is not sold in Australia. The modified Sedona is named for School of Rock, described by Kia as "the leader in performance-based music education". Fittings and graphics signal the Sedona's role as a mobile recording studio, says Kia.

Just like a static recording studio, the Sedona features a studio, "a place to chill" and enough room to transport the band and instruments to the venue for their next soiree.

Changes to the Sedona for its 'Bluesmobile' role include the removal of the B pillar on the driver's side, plus steering and gear shift – which apparently won't be required, since the car is autonomous.

By removing the traditional tools of trade for the driver, the Sedona allows space for a digital mixing board and dual flat-screen monitors. A recording light in the roof shines when a track is being mixed. For vocalists there's a boom mike suspended from the vehicle's headlining. Additional sound insulation, in the form of acoustic foam panels, lines the car's interior for sound quality the equal of a studio. The tailgate incorporates a speaker stack and the roof can hold guitars and other instruments.

Featuring bespoke graphics, the Sedona is finished in Candy Red with white tan and black highlights. The Sedona rides on matte-black 20-inch Vossen VFS-6 alloy wheels with Toyo Proxes 255/45 R20 tyres.

Sorento meets snowmobile in the Sorento Ski Gondola modified by LUX Motorwerks for the show. Traction is provided by Dominator Rubber Tracks in an orange powdercoat. A roof rack for ski gear is supplemented by the luggage compartment, now made easier to access by the removal of the vehicle's B pillar and conversion of the rear side doors to suicide (rear-hinged) doors.

Splashes of orange, silver and black are applied within the headlight clusters and LED light bars are also installed. Inside the orange and black theme continues, featuring on the leather upholstery. The Sorento's centre console has been modified to house a tablet computer, and the door cards and dash are also revised. Interior fixtures are treated with Line-X waterproofing.

Also developed for the show by LUX Motorwerks, the Soul First Class revives 'vis-à-vis' seating, with the front seats of the car turned 180 degrees to face the rear-seat passengers. Naturally, in this autonomous car of the future there's no steering wheel to impede the novel packaging.

Amazingly, the customisers have squeezed a 40-inch Samsung LED TV inside the Soul, linking it to a Mac mini computer and premium speakers. Two tablets can be housed in the 'motorized' centre console and the interior is upholstered in white and grey leather featuring a diamond stitch, coordinating with grey-wood flooring.

Lux Blue paint from PPG is set off by 19-inch Rotiform Monoblock CCV alloy wheels, revised air intakes and integrated LED lighting.

Like the other Kia show cars at SEMA, the Telluride SUV offers unobstructed access to the interior, with rear suicide doors. It's a toe in the water for Kia, considering the introduction of a prestige SUV for its North American model range, one that will be positioned above the Sorento.

Four captain's chairs in the Telluride concept are trimmed in black leather and are complemented by the car's third-row seating. In the middle row, the seats fold almost flat, and come with fold-away footrests. All four seats incorporate sensors to monitor the occupant's vital signs, which are displayed on screens mounted in the door cards. A Light Emitted Rejuvenation system beneath the large sunroof shines a light to reduce 'desynchronosis' (jet lag).

The car is finished in Dark Pyrite green and is built on a stretched Sorento platform. Five-spoke alloy wheels measure 22-inch diameter and are fitted with Hankook Ventus ST 275/45 R22 tyres.