Motor Authority - blog Category: Borrego

Kia will use next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show to debut a concept version of its Borrego SUV powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Called the Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the concept represents an important milestone for the South Korean manufacturer and is a sign that Kia is one of the leaders of the automotive industry when it comes to powertrain technology.

Kia claims it has perfected a fuel cell unit that can operate at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, and according to the company its latest generation fuel-cell technology is 44% more powerful than previous generations and its 62% efficiency rating is... Kia will use next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show to debut a concept version of its Borrego SUV powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Called the Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the concept represents an important milestone for the South Korean manufacturer and is a sign that Kia is one of the leaders of the automotive industry when it comes to powertrain technology. Kia claims it has perfected a fuel cell unit that can operate at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, and according to the company its latest generation fuel-cell technology is 44% more powerful than previous generations and its 62% efficiency rating is among the highest of any vehicle fuel cell applications. The Borrego FCEV outputs 154hp (115kW) from its fuel cell system, and is capable of travelling up to 426 miles with its three tanks of hydrogen. The concept vehicle’s powertrain also features a 450 volt super-capacitor rated at 134hp (100kW), which together with the fuel-cell, is used to power a 147hp (109kW) electric motor. Kia plans to start testing a fleet of Borrego FCEV models in early 2010, although who the test cars will be given to remains a mystery. Kia's ties with Hyundai has meant that both companies are able to work on fuel cell development together, and the Borrego test vehicles will eventually utilize a fourth-generation fuel-cell currently in the works. Also on show at next week’s event will be the new Soul hatchback, which you can read about in our previous story by clicking here.Kia Borrego Read More

Kia will be playing the ‘urban’ theme with its latest showing at the SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas, enticing attendees with DJs and tattoo artists, as well as a number of concept vehicles. Some of the cars we have already seen, such as the Soul Burner from March’s Geneva Auto Show and the KOUP concept from the New York Auto Show, while others are completely new.

Sitting in the new category are the Borrego Limited SUV concept and the Rio5 tuner special. The Borrego is an extension of the standard model released earlier this year, and has been dressed up with a monotone black exterior, limo-tint windows, a lowered suspension... Kia will be playing the ‘urban’ theme with its latest showing at the SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas, enticing attendees with DJs and tattoo artists, as well as a number of concept vehicles. Some of the cars we have already seen, such as the Soul Burner from March’s Geneva Auto Show and the KOUP concept from the New York Auto Show, while others are completely new. Sitting in the new category are the Borrego Limited SUV concept and the Rio5 tuner special. The Borrego is an extension of the standard model released earlier this year, and has been dressed up with a monotone black exterior, limo-tint windows, a lowered suspension set-up and flashy 22in Avarus chrome wheels wrapped with 285mm Spec-X tires. The Rio5 concept vehicle, which was also developed specifically for this week’s SEMA, was prepared by Mobis Parts Los Angeles and features a number of official accessories currently available at dealers. It has been developed as a test bed for potential accessories being considered for future Kia vehicles, including exciting audio and performance-related equipment. Some of the highlights include a custom bodykit, mesh grille, blackened headlamps, custom alloys, a revised strut brace and cold air intake system, a cat-back exhaust system, and stainless steel door sill plates.Kia Koup ConceptKia Soul Concepts2008 Kia SEMA lineup Read More

The Hyundai-Kia automotive conglomerate is on a roll of late with its stong crash test scores. Just over a week ago the 2009 Hyundai Genesis scored a perfect five-star rating, and now the Kia Borrego SUV has scored the same, which should help the big vehicle with its recently-announced North American launch.

Criticized by some as a late entry into the mid-size SUV segment with its 4.6L V8 and 15/22mpg EPA rating in 2WD guise, the Borrego nonetheless outshines the existing competition on almost all fronts, including price and warranty coverage. The 10-year, 100,000mi coverage has made Kia famous, and it's worked well to breed confidence in... The Hyundai-Kia automotive conglomerate is on a roll of late with its stong crash test scores. Just over a week ago the 2009 Hyundai Genesis scored a perfect five-star rating, and now the Kia Borrego SUV has scored the same, which should help the big vehicle with its recently-announced North American launch. Criticized by some as a late entry into the mid-size SUV segment with its 4.6L V8 and 15/22mpg EPA rating in 2WD guise, the Borrego nonetheless outshines the existing competition on almost all fronts, including price and warranty coverage. The 10-year, 100,000mi coverage has made Kia famous, and it's worked well to breed confidence in the company's offerings. Adding a five-star safety rating for all seating positions in both side and frontal crash testing to the mix will only increase interest. The rating is enabled in part by the high level of standard safety equipment fitted to the Borrego, including ront advanced airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags for all three rows and driver’s knee airbag (V8 models only), plus four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system including stability control and traction control. Most impressively, the Borrego is far from the first of Kia's vehicles to achieve the coveted five-star rating. "Borrego joins four other Kia models - Optima, Sportage, Sorento and Sedona -- in garnering a five-star crash safety rating, and further positions Kia as a serious up-and-coming contender in today's competitive and economically challenging automotive market," said Byung Mo Ahn, CEO of Kia Motors America. For more about the Kia Borrego, read our original coverage here. Read More

Kia Motors America has announced the sales launch of their all-new seven-passenger midsize SUV, dubbed the Borrego. Revealed at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, the new Borrego offers a compromise position between large capacity and fuel economy. The release brings new details of the SUV as well as pricing information.

The Borrego runs on regular unleaded and achieves class-leading fuel economy of 15/22mpg city/highway for its V8 with two-wheel drive, and a respectable 15/20mpg city/highway for the four-wheel drive. The new midsize also houses Kia's most powerful engines to date, coming standard with a 3.8L V6 that generates 276hp... Kia Motors America has announced the sales launch of their all-new seven-passenger midsize SUV, dubbed the Borrego. Revealed at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, the new Borrego offers a compromise position between large capacity and fuel economy. The release brings new details of the SUV as well as pricing information. The Borrego runs on regular unleaded and achieves class-leading fuel economy of 15/22mpg city/highway for its V8 with two-wheel drive, and a respectable 15/20mpg city/highway for the four-wheel drive. The new midsize also houses Kia's most powerful engines to date, coming standard with a 3.8L V6 that generates 276hp (206kW) as well as offering an optional DOHC 4.6-liter V8 engine rated at 337hp (251kW). When mated to the V8, the Borrego is capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds (3409kg). The Borrego comes standard with air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 six-speaker audio system with USB and auxiliary input jack, and is the first Kia vehicle to offer SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a three month trial subscription as standard equipment. Two trim levels are available, LX and the upscale EX. The primary upgrades include larger 18" alloys (17" are standard on the LX), standard heated side mirrors, dual-zone climate control and a multi-function trip computer. More leather trim and upgraded options ranges are also perks of the EX trim package. The Borrego features two major advantages over its competition: more interior room than the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the new Honda Pilot, and its virtually unmatched warranty program - a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty; a five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty; and a five-year or 100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan is also part of the plan. Both Hyundai and Kia offer similar warranty programs, designed to give customers confidence in buying from a relatively small manufacturer without a more prestigious badge on the bonnet. The Borrego will start at $25,245 in the U.S. for the base model V6-powered LX trim, with the V8 a $4,750 option. The better-equipped EX trim starts at $27,995 for the V6 model, with a $3,000 premium for the V8. All models are subject to a $750 destination fee on top of the MSRP.Kia Borrego Read More