Kia exhibits six American-inspired concepts at SEMA

Pacwest Adventure Sorento

Remember the Kia A1A Optima and the Forte Koup Mud Bogger? Well, joining both at SEMA this year, are four more concepts themed around the “Spirit of the American Road Trip,” according to Kia. Out of the four, two concepts are making a return from previous motor shows, the Ballast Point Sedona and the Kia Trail’ster.

First up is the “PacWest Adventure Sorento,” based on a stock Kia Sorento with 290 hp. The name PacWest, stands for Pacific Northwest where forests are aplenty. Inspired by the outdoors and nature, it’s designed and hand-built by LGE-CTS Motorsports. Exterior-wise, a multi-layer paint consisting of pearls and candy effects creates that green tone.

In addition to that, the minor chrome accents are painted in matte black. Fitted to the “tiger nose” is a black mesh grille. In the back, tubular bars have been attached and likewise for the front, which is accompanied with an LED lightbar – Kia says it’s meant to scare away the Sasquatch. Affixed to the roof is a roof rack.

Kia exhibits six American-inspired concepts at SEMA

Aside from a new front undercarriage assembly, fabricated by LGE-CTS, the ground clearance has been increased by six inches. This, thanks to Fox Racing 2.0 coilovers, Eibach springs and Nitto Trail Grappler mud-terrain tyres. Furthermore, it gets an ARB tow strap, E-Z deflator kit and a WFJ snorkel intake system.

Inside, it receives custom painted dash and door-panel inserts, as well as a Daystar switch panel and rocker switches for the external LEDs. Green panels and materials are prominent as well, while on the centre console sits an eight-inch Alpine Mobile Media unit that supports the front camera.

Next up, also built by LGE-CTS, is the “Photo Safari Sedona.” Based on a Kia Sedona/Carnival, this MPV looks more like a truck, now with its roof chopped away. It’s inspired by the Northeast region of the States and photographers as well, painted in a bright mix of orange, auburn and browns resembling the foliage of autumn. The roof rack atop allows for the mounting of cameras or other photography tools.

Restricted to only two passengers inside, it’s basically a mobile studio for photographers. The front passenger’s seat is removed for equipment storage. A custom built-in desk, extension-arm keyboard tray, and storage cabinets are also in place. Additionally, it has a 30-inch power retractable rear window, RW radio headsets, and a military-grade battery to provide the interior with power.

Dedicated to craft beer lovers in San Diego, is this “Ballast Point Sedona.” Built in parnership with Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits, the Sedona is lowered, comes with a custom-built flip top roof, and a mahogany fold-down counter. Outside, the aquatic design that brings to mind the old saying, “drink like a fish,” represents the theme that Ballast Point is famous for.

Behind, with the rear passenger seats removed, it’s a bartender’s workstation, complete with Micro Matic taps, a jockey box with 120-feet of copper beer-cooling coils. It can hold up to four half-barrel beer kegs, while another spare keg can be stored in front, where the passenger seat used to be.

Making a comeback, is the Kia Trail’ster, a compact urban vehicle based on the Kia Soul. Painted in a Polar Pearl Snowdrift/Terra Bronze Metallic scheme, it features a roll-top canvas roof and armoured aluminium skid plates. It’s fully ready for a Rocky Mountain adventure, according to Kia.

An electric all-wheel drive system on the rear axle makes up the Trail-ster’s layout. Similar to the vehicle we saw earlier, the four-door compact likely sports the same 1.6 litre turbocharged engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 185 hp and 250 Nm.

Meanwhile, the turquoise-coloured convertible Kia A1A Optima by LUX Motorwerks will definitely be a head-turner too. The blue convertible is dedicated to the Sunshine State of Florida, home to the 482 km, A1A highway and designed for Miami’s South Beach. Lowered with a Ksport coilover sport suspension and sitting on 20-inch HRE wheels, it comes with 245 hp to spare.

The Kia Forte Koup Mud Bogger is a heightened version of the US-market Kia Cerato Koup. Representing the American South, the off-roader features a four-inch body and suspension lift kit, 28-inch off-road tyres with white wheels and modified side fenders and side skirts. Tubular tubes are fitted in the front and back alongside an LED lightbar.

GALLERY: Kia PacWest Adventure Sorento