Kia quietly unleashed the first official press release and the first official image of the automaker's first mid-size body-on-frame SUV. Due to be unveiled at the upcoming Detroit Autoshow in January, the "Borrego" is Kia's first automobile to be packed with an available V8. Code-named the "HM" during its testing phases, many had speculated the moniker to be "Mesa" in relation to the Borrego's preview concept. The production version managed to retain all the good cues like the bold chrome slat grille from the KCD III Mesa Concept shown in 2005.The Borrego will pack a standard 3.8L V6 powering in the 250-270 horsepower range. The upper-models will receive the anticipated 4.6L Tau V8 with horsepower levels in the 300's. The press release only indicated the availability of a V8. Kia boasts the largest towing capacity to date of a Kia with the Borrego. Built on a body-on-frame platform, the Borrego ought to create some needed competition with other BOF offerings like the Ford Explorer. Albeit the design flows very nicely and is frankly sleeker than the Explorer's, we question the time of the Borrego's entrance to the dying BOF SUV market.
The Borrego will arrive at your local Kia dealerships during late spring or early summer of 2008 as a 2009 model. As always, Kia will tag every Borrego with an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Pricing will be announced closer to the sales date.
[Source: Kia Motors America]
Continue reading to view an official press release and the original hi-res image.
PRESS RELEASE: KIA ANNOUNCES NAME OF HM SUV, "BORREGO"
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
