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SEMA 2008: Kia Borrego Limited Concept does its best Escalade impression

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:17:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, SUV, Kia

Click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Borrego Limited SEMA Concept

With the Escalade on the ropes, it looks like Kia might step in to rescue all those lovers of blacked-out blinged-up chromed-out big-wheeled SUVs. The metallic black Borrego Limited Concept that debuted at SEMA today gets chrome exterior mirrors, chrome upper and lower grilles, chrome door handles, a chrome rear bumper insert, and "flashy 22-inch Avarus chrome wheels." Inside it gets (faux) alligator skin. That's right. A Kia Borrego with (faux) alligator skin. And what good is a (faux) alligator without a TV and a DVD player to complete that "assertive and sophisticated stance fit for a motorcade as much as cruising down the Vegas strip." True, this would be generic medication compared to the Escalade's real deal, but it'll be much cheaper and probably still get the job done. Maybe. But watch out for the side effects. Have a look at the not-quite-reptilian Borrego in the gallery of high-res photos below. Oh, and for the record, the Soul will be officially revealed on the 19th, at the LA Auto Show.

Gallery: 2008 SEMA: Kia Borrego Limited Concept

Gallery: Kia Borrego Limited Concept

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Kia Borrego Limited Concept does its best Escalade impression

SEMA 2008: Kia Borrego Limited Concept does its best Escalade impression originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Pics Aplenty: Kia Mohave/Borrego launches in Korea

Dan Roth — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Etc., Kia

We've already seen some undisguised pictures of Kia's handsome new midsize SUV, but the vehicle just launched officially in Korea as the Mohave. Official launch means official pictures, and that's what we have here, a ton of really beautiful images of what we'll soon know as the Borrego. Not that Borrego, this one sports a full frame, seating places for seven, and the choice of Kia's strong-like-bull V6 or their first V8. The wisdom of introducing a new body-on-frame SUV at this point, especially in light of the coming new CAFE rules, might be questionable, but the vehicle itself is handsome and it's hard to deny the inherent value that Kia bakes into its cars. We'll check the Borrego out in person when it makes it's US debut at the Detroit Auto Show. In the meantime, Carscoop unearthed a lot of great pictures to tide us over.

[Source: Kia via Carscoop]

Gallery: Kia Borrego offical shots

Pics Aplenty: Kia Mohave/Borrego launches in Korea originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit '08 Preview: Kia Borrego drops in for some egg nog

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Kia

click above image for high-res gallery of the Kia Borrego

It's that time of year again when people call up all their friends and invite them over for some holiday cheer and the car makers are no exception. Kia Motors kicked off the festivities the other night with a little gathering at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit. The invitation promised Kia America CEO Len Hunt and a special guest. Unfortunately Hunt couldn't make it, but the special guest turned out to be the new Kia Borrego SUV.

The unit on hand was one of two prototypes in the country right now having arrived only days before. Party-goers had the opportunity check out the new truck up close, but it was made clear that as a prototype the interior trim did not include all the final textures and materials. The shapes and layout are complete, but we'll pass on an overall judgment until a vehicle closer to final spec is available. There's plenty more first-hand information on the Borrego after the jump.

[Source: Kia]

Gallery: 2009 Kia Borrego

Continue reading Detroit '08 Preview: Kia Borrego drops in for some egg nog

Detroit '08 Preview: Kia Borrego drops in for some egg nog originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit '08 Preview: Kia names new SUV the Borrego

Alex Nunez — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Kia

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]

Continue reading Detroit '08 Preview: Kia names new SUV the Borrego

Detroit '08 Preview: Kia names new SUV the Borrego originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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