Kia has slapped a name on the production body-on-frame SUV born from the 2005 Mesa concept. Dubbed "Borrego," the truck will be offered with V6 or V8 power and have a grille that looks uncannily similar to the one on the Subaru Tribeca. Its headlights are reminiscent of the pre-facelift Chrysler Pacifica, too. We know that designs are locked in long before new vehicles are at a point where they can be shown to the public, but it's still amusing to note the similarities.
Also amusing is the name, Borrego. We're sure that Kia was going for a desert theme, and that the name was inspired by the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. (In Korea, it'll be called Mojave, in keeping with the desert vibe.) Unfortunately for Kia, in Spanish, "borrego" roughly translates to "lamb" or "sheep," neither of which conjures up a tough image for a new SUV. Last we checked, there are plenty of Spanish-speakers in the US, too, so it's not like this one's gonna sneak by unnoticed.
In all seriousness, the biggest question is whether the crossover-happy marketplace will be welcoming toward a new body-on-frame sport utility. We'll see what the reaction is in January when it's unveiled in Detroit.
[Source: Kia]
PRESS RELEASE:
KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES NAME OF NEW MIDSIZE SUV
First Kia Midsize SUV Will Make World Debut at Detroit Auto Show
IRVINE, Calif., November 6, 2007 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced it will give its new midsize SUV the moniker of "Borrego" when it debuts in January at the Detroit Auto Show. The Kia Borrego will be manufactured in Korea and go on sale in North America in late spring or early summer of 2008 as a 2009 model.
Built with body-on-frame construction incorporating the latest in NVH engineering philosophy, Borrego will be Kia's newest addition to its well-rounded full-line of vehicles that continually provide value, safety and a steadfast 10-year/100,000-mile warranty to consumers. Borrego will be available with either a V6 engine or the company's first V8 offering, which will also boast Kia's largest towing capacity to date.
Also amusing is the name, Borrego. We're sure that Kia was going for a desert theme, and that the name was inspired by the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. (In Korea, it'll be called Mojave, in keeping with the desert vibe.) Unfortunately for Kia, in Spanish, "borrego" roughly translates to "lamb" or "sheep," neither of which conjures up a tough image for a new SUV. Last we checked, there are plenty of Spanish-speakers in the US, too, so it's not like this one's gonna sneak by unnoticed.
In all seriousness, the biggest question is whether the crossover-happy marketplace will be welcoming toward a new body-on-frame sport utility. We'll see what the reaction is in January when it's unveiled in Detroit.
[Source: Kia]
PRESS RELEASE:
KIA MOTORS AMERICA ANNOUNCES NAME OF NEW MIDSIZE SUV
First Kia Midsize SUV Will Make World Debut at Detroit Auto Show
IRVINE, Calif., November 6, 2007 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced it will give its new midsize SUV the moniker of "Borrego" when it debuts in January at the Detroit Auto Show. The Kia Borrego will be manufactured in Korea and go on sale in North America in late spring or early summer of 2008 as a 2009 model.
Built with body-on-frame construction incorporating the latest in NVH engineering philosophy, Borrego will be Kia's newest addition to its well-rounded full-line of vehicles that continually provide value, safety and a steadfast 10-year/100,000-mile warranty to consumers. Borrego will be available with either a V6 engine or the company's first V8 offering, which will also boast Kia's largest towing capacity to date.
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