Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Kia
Detroit '08 Preview: Kia names new SUV the Borrego
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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John P. 10:36AM (11/07/2007)
Borrego? Might as well call it the Burrito.
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Mike 6:14PM (11/07/2007)
Shoulda actually been called the boringo. Then it would live up to it's name.
FThorn 10:41AM (11/07/2007)
Detroit '07 Preview: Kia names new SUV the Borrego
Detroit 07?
Do you mean the 200-EIGHT NA Int'l Auto Show?
Are you a year behind?
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Alex Nunez 10:44AM (11/07/2007)
Yes, we meant '08.
Mario 10:44AM (11/07/2007)
Borrego in Spanish means Lamb
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Carlos 12:07PM (11/07/2007)
Yeah, unlike the Nova, this one's actually funny to Spanish speakers.
jgp 2:06PM (11/07/2007)
But not as funny as the Mitsubishi Pajero.
Andrew Tanasescu 10:44AM (11/07/2007)
Am I the only one that see's Xterra's side and Pacifica front end?
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Russell 10:53AM (11/07/2007)
I was gonna say Pacifica wants its face back.
Guenther 11:16AM (11/07/2007)
Ford Corporate wheel design? That design has been used for some time on at least 5 models.
Building BoF trucks is one thing, when it's already your bread/butter and most of your revenue comes form it. But getting into that game 3 years after Gas first hit $3??? That program should have been axed in its infancy- unless... they turn it into a midsize pickup and drop in a Diesel.
FLR 10:46AM (11/07/2007)
This thing is about 4 years behind the market trend. I can't see this being a big seller or even a mediocre seller.
The general shape look more Pacifica like than rough and ready SUV. Without reading about the body on frame I assumed it was another unibody CUV.
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Bob-omb 10:54AM (11/07/2007)
I guess it makes sense for Kia. The Sorento is still one of their best sellers, and that's a body on frame rumbler too.
Borrego sounds like a Volkswagen. What the heck was wrong with the name Mesa?
VP 10:48AM (11/07/2007)
Hmm..if this was GM or Ford they would be torched right about now for not adapting to changing consumer choices and that the SUV's produced by them are the source of all evil in the world. Hey this comes from the other side of the pond, so it's all cool.
In all seriousness does Kia really need this right now? For their image and pricepoint their current lineup of cross overs and suv's was just right.
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Jose 10:50AM (11/07/2007)
The should have called it the CHIVO (goat)...
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k.w.a 10:52AM (11/07/2007)
in this day and age, a front like that will not make it very noticeable. Kia is very late in the game to be coming out with a bland suv.
Either change the front or prepare to be as recognizeable as the Mitsubishi endeavor/ facelifted-Subaru Tribeca/Pontiac Torrent ---yes they still make them.
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Doug 10:59AM (11/07/2007)
Boring-o what?
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SherbornSean 11:00AM (11/07/2007)
Leggo my Borrego?
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Farris 11:21AM (11/07/2007)
Gah.
Why are companies still trying to cash in on the SUV craze? I thought it was kinda dying out, especially with gas prices climbing like they have been. I'm not trying to start any kind of argument, but gas is 3.30 here in my hometown. Are SUVs still selling that well?
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Josiah 11:28AM (11/07/2007)
I own a Sorento, love it and am still /very surprised/ Kia is going with an 'old school' SUV for next year.
Even if crossovers provide only marginal improvements in gas mileage, I don't understand why Kia didn't simply re-badge equip the Veracruz like it does the Sonata/Tuscon.
Consumers are seeing truck based SUV's as old, and gas thirsty and are quickly buying up anything labeled a "crossover" maybe Kia knows something about oil prices that we do not?
That said, I still see many new GMT900 trucks around here so maybe truck based SUV's aren't dead.
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Xcountryflyer 11:44AM (11/07/2007)
Generic front end that is already on the Pacifica and Ttribeca. I'm sure it'll be a good deal, but oil keeps going up and up lately.
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