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Detroit 2008: Kia Borrego arrives at the wrong time

Dan Roth — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Kia

click above for more high-res live shots of the 2009 Kia Borrego

Perhaps the biggest news about the Kia Borrego is that it marks the introduction of a V8 to the Korean automaker's powertrain arsenal. On the other hand, maybe we're just power-addled. Lobbing an entry into the midsize-SUV arena, Kia has stuck with the traditional body-on-frame strategy that many other automakers are abandoning. Styling wise, the Borrego is familial with the Kia Sorento, and neither 'Ute is bad looking. Even when blinged out with the highest trim level, the Borrego will skim along under the radar pretty easily. Those wheels, however, look like they were lifted from an unattended concept car on the show floor. Coil springs hold up all four corners, and stability and traction control are standard. Playing in the dirt will be aided by twin hill-traversing systems; Downhill Assist Control (DAC) and Hill Assist Control (HAC). One's for going down, the other's for going up, we guess.

The aforementioned 4.6L V8 will serve up something north of 300 horsepower and be affixed to Kia's first six-speed autobox. Kia's stalwart snortalicious V6 will likely have to press all of its 264 horsepower into service just to haul the Borrego, but a five-speed automatic will help proceedings. Inside, three rows of seats provide places for seven posteriors, though the third row might be a little snug (aren't they all?). Kia's first navigation system is available, offering customers the option of a rearview camera, as well. In Kia fashion, we expect the equipment list of this 2009 model year offering to be lengthier and the dollar figure smaller than the competition. The Borrego goes on sale as a 2009 model later this year.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: 2009 Kia Borrego

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Kia Borrego arrives at the wrong time

Detroit 2008: Kia Borrego arrives at the wrong time originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trailblazer may blaze its last trail ahead of HUMMER replacement

John Neff — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chevrolet, GM

Analyst Rebecca Lindland from Global Insight Inc. is going on the record saying it's likely General Motors will cancel the Trailblazer (SS model shown) after the current model ends its run around 2010. Its replacement would emerge in the form of the Hummer H4, which would fill the role of GM's smallest body-on-frame SUV. Chevrolet will receive a new unibody SUV (or CUV?) at that time, perhaps a version of the Opel Antera that's crossing the sea to join Saturn's lineup in the near future.

The HUMMER H4 will likely be built on an even smaller version of the frame that underpins the Chevy Colorado and HUMMER H3. As body-on-frame SUVs are falling out of favor with the family crowd, the H3 will likely carry on the HUMMER cache with impressive off-road abilities and target the Jeep Wrangler as its closest competition.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Trailblazer may blaze its last trail ahead of HUMMER replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jun 2006 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac Escalade leading charge as gas guzzlers flourishing despite fuel prices?

Chris Paukert — Thu, 18 May 2006 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Hybrid, SUV, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Despite all the carping about gasoline prices these days, sales of Cadillac's new Escalade and their ilk are boomin' louder than the gigawatt stereos they often house.

So says MSNBC, which points out that despite post-Katrina price shocks and media outlets trumpeting hybrids and new small car offerings, U.S. consumption of unleaded hooch is actually rising. In fact, fully one-in-four new cars sold in America houses a V8 engine under its hood. SUVs outpoint hybrid sales 23-1. The 'King of Bling,' Cadillac's Escalade saw its sales jump a whopping 127 percent last month.

So what gives?

While it appears that MSNBC is basing its assertions about the surprising resiliency of SUVs squarely on the load points of General Motors' massively improved GMT900 trucks, it has a point. For all of the hype surrounding the newer generation of crossover vehicles and more fuel efficient body-on-frame SUVs, conventional cars and wagons with smaller displacement engines remain significantly better when judged by a fuel gauge. And yet a good portion of American consumers won't touch them, despite their inherently superior driving dynamics and often greater cargo capacity.

So... has the death knell of the SUV been prematurely sounded? Is the American motoring lifestyle inextricably linked to large, high horsepower vehicles? Or are GM's revised full-sizers riding a wave soon to reach the shore? Have your say in 'Comments.'

[Sources: MSNBC.com; Skeptically.org]

Cadillac Escalade leading charge as gas guzzlers flourishing despite fuel prices? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 May 2006 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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