Kia America sets up interactive displays at 72nd NBA All-Star Game

MANILA: The 72nd NBA All-Star Game will be held on Sunday, February 19, at Vivint Arena, turning Salt Lake City into the "center court" of basketball this weekend. Basketball fans may engage in an interactive experience with NBA players, on-site automobile displays, a free throw shooting game, and more — thanks to Kia USA as the league's official automotive partner.

Also, Kia will give out tickets to Sunday's All-Star Game at random throughout the weekend. Attendees of NBA All-Star Weekend are welcome to visit Kia's interactive space from Friday, February 17, until Sunday, February 19.

The "Kia NBA Crossover" activation has a 60 by 40-foot interactive space where four fans will compete in a shooting competition a la pop-a-shot. With each basket, Kia Telluride SUVs on an LED screen are propelled down a simulated track that begins in a Salt Lake City suburb and concludes at the NBA All-Star Game. Participants have 45 seconds to make as many baskets as they can. The "Legends of the Driveway" creative campaign by Kia, which was created to honor the driveway as the area where many basketball players and fans first fell in love with the game, served as the inspiration for the activation.

“The excitement NBA fans bring to All-Star weekend is palpable and we are proud to provide this experience and share our own love of the game as a way to thank them for their continued support of both the NBA and the Kia brand,” said Russell Wager, Vice President, Marketing, Kia America. “This year marks Kia’s 16th season in partnership with the NBA, and we want to reward basketball fans with fun and memorable activities at one of the association’s signature events.”

The first-ever Kia NBA Skills Challenge will take place on Saturday, February 18, and will pit a select group of NBA players against one another to see who has the best dribbling, passing, and shooting abilities. During the competition, an all-electric Kia EV6 GT will be on the court.

Kia USA is not only the NBA's Official Automobile Partner but also the Title Sponsor of the All-Star Game MVP Award and the All-Star MVP fan voting. At the completion of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night, Kia will hand out the trophy for the game's most valuable player during an on-court presentation.

Kia has served as the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA” for 16 seasons and the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Pro is the Official Vehicle of the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League. In addition, Kia has relationships with 13 NBA teams, including: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns.

Kia Telluride

The 2023 Kia Telluride is easily identifiable from the outside thanks to a redesigned bumper and grille with an updated vertical headlamp and fog lamps. New tail lamps, a new rear fascia, and new trim are also included in the back. It is available in three new hues, including Jungle Wood Green, Dawning Red, and Midnight Lake Blue.

The remodeled Telluride SUV's interior features substantial upgrades like the curving dual 12.3-inch display screens, a dashboard redesign with new HVAC vents and trim panels, a new steering wheel design, and new inside color schemes. The South Korean carmaker expanded the nameplate's lineup by including the new X-Line and X-Pro variants of its most popular and award-winning three-row eight-passenger SUV.

With a special radiator grille design, bridge-style roof rails, body-color door handles, "X-Line" badging, and custom 20-inch wheels, the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line enhances the regular offering while also adding some flare.

The front seat upper backrest of the X-Line incorporates embossed "X-Line" branding, in addition to exclusive color options. The X-Pro variant, on the other hand, adds unique 18-inch black wheels fitted with 18-inch all-terrain Continental rubber as well as "X-Pro" badging to everything the X-Line model has.

The front seat upper backrest of the X-Pro trim's front seat features embossed "X-Pro" branding, and the SUV's cargo area has a hand 110-volt inverter outlet. Together with a variety of additional standard driver-assist and safety features, the top-of-the-line SUV from Kia also has forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assistance, and highway driving assistance.

Kia EV6 in the Philippines

Beginning on March 21, 2023, Kia Philippines dealerships will sell the 2023 Kia EV6 GT-Line. Although the pricing has not yet been disclosed, Kia Philippines has teased us with a starting price under P4 million.

The only model made available by Kia Philippines is the Kia EV6 GT-Line, which has a 77.4 kWh Li-ion battery that powers a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) with 225 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque.

The 2023 Kia EV6 GT-Line can travel roughly 528 km on a single charge, which should allay any range worries. The EV6 can be charged from 10% to 100% in 7 hours and 20 minutes using an 11kW AC system. The EV6 can be charged from 10% to 80% utilizing a 50kW DC fast charging station in approximately 73 minutes. Whenever there is a 350kW DC charging station, the EV6 can be supercharged even faster, going from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes.

Photos from Kia America and Roy Robles

Also read:

WATCH: Kia PH unveils 2023 Kia EV6 GT-Line; Release date and spec list

Kia Sportage named ‘Utility Vehicle of the Year’ by AutoGuide

Kia EV6 named ‘Best of the Year’ in 41st MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards