Kia has teamed up with fashion and lifestyle magazine Antenna to create a pair of concept models based on the new Sportage CUV for this year's edition of the SEMA Show, which takes place in Las Vegas from November 2 to 5. The modified Sportage models are nicknamed "Work" and "Play," and as their names suggest, one is made to appeal to the tech-savvy, on-the-go professionals and the other to recreational enthusiasts. We'll have more on both models from the SEMA Show floor, but for now, follow the break for the press details.
Red "Play" Sportage
The "Play" Sportage concept was designed with the active urban male in mind and gives Kia's aggressively styled CUV a new skin and the latest athletic equipment and accessories, right down to the tires. The exterior was given a fresh and forceful new look featuring a standout matte finish with the body painted a flat red with texturized matte black trim paint. New 20-inch MRR HR4 wheels, also painted a coordinating matte black, enhance the rugged appearance, while a custom Yakima roof rack is outfitted with a red and black Cannondale® QuikFX Bike with unique bike pedals and seat to meet all athletic needs at a moment's notice.
Moving inside, all trim pieces of the "Play" Sportage concept are wrapped in black leather and accented with red stitching for a more energetic appearance. The seats are upholstered with black leather, complemented with black suede racing stripes and trimmed with red stitching running down the seat center for a unified look overall. All of the door panels use a three-material design – including black leather, black suede and red leather – with door-inset Memphis Audio component speakers for enhanced listening pleasure. An iPod Touch(4) is molded into the rear center console for easy access to today's latest music and news, while a custom quick-release camera holder in the rear center armrest holds an Olympus EP-L1 camera to capture memorable moments while traveling on the road. The headliner, also upholstered with black suede, includes a custom beach chair holder, complete with a black-painted beach chair with a red leather seat for last-minute trips to the coast.
Making "Play" Sportage a true athlete's car, the cargo area was transformed into a tailgater's dream with a custom-painted locker, motorized stainless steel barbecue grill and 22-inch LCD television. In the cargo area, a Mac Mini with a wireless keyboard and mouse, speakers and Wi-Fi ensure full connectivity while on the move or tracking live fantasy football updates, and a Memphis subwoofer beneath a mesh overlay furthers listening enjoyment.
Blue "Work" Sportage
Aimed at the sophisticated, tech-savvy busy professional, the "Work" Sportage concept vehicle created by Antenna sports a sleek and professional appearance with custom metallic blue paint, titanium grey wheels, roof rack trim, grille insert and bumper inserts. To add to the "Work" Sportage's unique demeanor, front and rear wheels display concave rims (more pronounced in the rear), with the rear wheels fitted with new 10.5-inch-wide tires to complete the specialized look.
Busy professionals will feel at home inside the "Work" Sportage with luxuriously appointed tan leather seats with a diamond stitching design reminiscent of an argyle pattern. High-quality custom carpeting can be found throughout, while door inserts are wrapped with the same diamond-stitched leather and fitted with mesh speaker ports to conceal the upgraded Memphis Audio system speakers for a seamless appearance.
All business-minded occupants benefit from the latest technology to keep abreast of the latest news updates, including a Motorola Droid X molded into the center console. New iPads are fitted into fiberglass inserts molded into the driver and passenger seatbacks to enable rear passengers to stay on top of pressing work matters, with passengers given the ability to either remove the iPads with a simple button release or keep docked to remain charged. A Bluetooth(5) wireless technology keyboard also is mounted into the back of the center console for easy communications.
To fully meet all needs of today's professional male, a full closet and dressing station is fitted nicely within the "Work" Sportage's spacious cargo area, offering storage for up to two suits, five dress shirts and five belts for any work situation. Grooming needs are met with holders for an electric razor (with a built-in power source) and ties, while a shoe rack with a track system to hold cufflinks and a wristwatch finish off the mobile closet.
