The performance-themed SEMA Show is underway in Las Vegas and Kia is showing its sporty side with concept vehicles linked to the company's brand ambassadors.
There is the ‘Slam Dunk’ Kia Optima hybrid named after US pop star Blake Griffin who jumped over an Optima to win a slam dunk competition. On the outside is a basketball-like look with orange paint and 20 inch matte black wheels, while inside is a basketball court floor leather seats with Griffin has autographed embroidered in the headrests and of course a massive audio system with two flat-screen TVs for rear seat entertainment.
If that's not enough, a ‘Pop-A-Shot’ basketball hoop is mounted in the boot so you can keep practising those tricky shots were ever you may be.
Hawaiian youngster Michelle Wie is Kia's official golf ambassador and her ‘Hole-in-One’Kia Soul has been created for her to combine attending classes at Stanford University and of course playing golf. Finished in Kia Soul’s ‘So-Blue’ paint colour with Wie’s original artwork, the special Kia Soul’s design is now matched by custom Nike golf bags she will be using in tournaments.
There's also 20 inch alloy wheels and a white leather interior with pink headliner. Artificial grass for the floor gives a golf feel, there’s a 26-inch LED TV with X-Box golf games and two of Wie’s golf bags have been converted into 8-inch speakers for the audio system.
Kia went for a surfing theme with the Retro Surf Rio five-door model. Naturally there is a wooden surfboard mounted on the roof, but surprisingly this is matched by a front spoiler also made of timber.
The Kia Retro Surf Rio also runs a sunset-metallic golden-brown paint scheme and 17-inch gold-coloured alloy wheels. Inside is a turntable to play vinyl records, a gaming console for 1980s style arcade games, a towel rack and even a shelf to store sunscreen and other beach accessories.
For ice hockey fans Kia has created the Forte ‘Hat-Trick’ model with rubberised flooring simulating the outside of an ice hockey rink and an air hockey table mounted in the rear hatch. There is also LED fog lights shaped like hockey sticks and of course storage for sticks, jerseys and skates.
