Kia Mohave

Kia Mohave
Manufacturer Kia Motors and Avtotor
Also called Kia Borrego
Production 2008–2011
Assembly Hwasung Plant, Hwasung, South Korea
Kaliningrad, Russia[1]
Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan[2]
Class Mid-size SUV
Body style 4-door SUV
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive/Four-wheel drive
Engine 3.8L Lambda II V6 petrol
4.6L Tau V8 petrol
3.0L CRDI VGT S-Line V6 diesel
Transmission 6-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
Wheelbase 114.0 in (2,896 mm)
Length 192.1 in (4,879 mm)
Width 75.4 in (1,915 mm)
Height 71.3 in (1,811 mm)

The Kia Mohave, marketed in North America as the Kia Borrego, is a luxury sport-utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by the South Korean-based Kia Motors. The vehicle debuted in 2008 in the Korean[3] and US markets. The Kia Borrego is named after the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California; Borrego means "bighorned sheep" which can be found in the state park.[4]

Contents

Production history

The production model, designed by automotive designer Peter Schreyer, former chief designer for Audi, was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.[5] The vehicle was originally shown as a concept car under the Kia Mesa name at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and went on sale in Korea as the Mohave prior to its release in the United States. In the US, the Borrego went on hiatus for the 2010 model year, with no word on its return or cancellation, after lower than expected sales in 2009.[6]

As of December 2, 2010, the Kia website no longer lists the Borrego as a production model, and the previous address for it advertises the new Kia Sorento as a replacement vehicle.[7] Kia, however, still sells the Borrego in Canada, meaning the Borrego is a Canada-only nameplate now.

As of October 28, 2011, the car was discontinued without sucessor.

Technical details

The Borrego uses body-on-frame construction, with available adjustable air-suspension, hill-descent control and a high- and low-range automatic transmission. The Borrego has three standard rows of seats in the US. The Borrego will be fitted with either the 3.0 L VGT diesel V6 (in 2010), second-generation Lambda II 3.8 L V6 producing 276 horsepower (206 kW) or the recently developed 4.6 L V8 Hyundai Tau engine. The Tau V8 will be tuned to give less power but more torque than in the Hyundai Genesis sedan, and creates 337 horsepower (251 kW). The V8 has a towing capacity of 7,500 lb (3,400 kg), and the V6 is able to tow 5,000 lb (2,300 kg). It has a navigation system available as an option.

Kia Borrego Fuel cell version

The Kia Borrego FCEV[8] is a concept car produced by Hyundai-Kia and first shown at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.[9] The green SUV concept is based on a model Borrego and has a fuel cell developed by the 4th generation Hyundai-Kia (154 hp, 115 kW) and a new battery Lithium-Ion Polymer. The driver then enjoys an autonomy of 820 kilometres (510 mi) and can start in temperatures of −30 °C (−22 °F). As part of its testing program, Kia will put on the roads in 2010 a fleet of Kia Borrego FCEVs.

Awards

References

  1. ^ "Группа компаний Автотор :: Автомобили KIA". Avtotor.ru. http://www.avtotor.ru/kia/. Retrieved 2010-10-09.  (Russian)
  2. ^ "Ao"Азия Авто"". Aziaavto.kz. http://www.aziaavto.kz/hist_eng.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-30. 
  3. ^ Brooks, Glenn (2008-01-04). "South Korea: Kia Mohave SUV previews 2009 Borrego for Canada and US". AutomotiveWorld.com. http://www.automotiveworld.com/VMSI/display.asp?contentid=65607&vmsiid=21. Retrieved 2008-08-13. 
  4. ^ "2009 Kia Borrego - Overview for Kia Borrego". CarGurus. http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Overview-c10876-2009-Borrego.html. Retrieved 2010-10-09. 
  5. ^ Gritzinger, Bob. "Mesa memories: - AutoWeek Magazine". Autoweek.com. http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070920/FREE/70920003/1530/FREE. Retrieved 2010-10-09. 
  6. ^ Padgett, Marty (2009-12-30). "Kia Drops 2010 Borrego From Lineup, Fate TBD - The Car Connection". Blogs.thecarconnection.com. http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1041039_kia-drops-2010-borrego-from-lineup-fate-tbd. Retrieved 2010-02-20. 
  7. ^ Kia Borrego website
  8. ^ "Kia Borrego FCEV". Hydrogen-motors.com. http://www.hydrogen-motors.com/hydrogen/2008/11/los-angeles-auto-show-2008-kia-borrego-fcev-concept/. Retrieved 2010-10-09. 
  9. ^ Abuelsamid, Sam (2008-11-12). "LA Preview: Kia to debut fuel cell-powered Borrego SUV". Autobloggreen.com. http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/11/12/la-preview-kia-to-debut-fuel-cell-powered-borrego-suv/. Retrieved 2010-10-09. 
  10. ^ Best Kept Secret: 2009 Kia Borrego autobytel.com, 2009
  11. ^ "Kia Borrego Awarded New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) 2009 Winter Vehicle Award". News.prnewswire.com. http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-03-2009/0004981801&EDATE=. Retrieved 2010-10-30. 
  12. ^ Kia Borrego Awarded Edmunds.com Consumers' Top Rated Vehicle Award CNBC, 18 Jun 2009

External links