Kia Bringing New Borrego SUV to Detroit Auto Show

This is it, folks. From now until the New York auto show ends next April, we’re in auto show season. The next six months will bring an onslaught of new production and concept cars, and news about said production and concept cars. Today we learn that Kia will name its new midsize SUV the Borrego. No, we don’t know what that means either.

Like the Hyundai Veracruz, the Borrego will be built in Korea, but we won’t be sure how similar the two are especially since the Borrego will be a body-on-frame, traditional SUV like a Ford Explorer. We'll learn more as the Detroit auto show approaches in early January. We do know the Borrego will be offered with Kia’s first V-8 engine.   

Update: Borrego is Portuguese for Lamb. There is also a town called Borrego Springs in California.

Comments

[LM]

You beat me to it Dave! Did you see the Chevy Borrego concept in Google search of images?

Hmmmm.

I know you'll take the link down, but here it is:
http://images.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0101_borrego_l.jpg

[Dave T.]

MT is an affiliate of ours so that link gets to live
;)

[Anon]

Bigger Tribeca Anyone?

[LM]

DT: SWEET!

So, can GM sue Kia over the name? Or does it not apply to concepts or perhaps GM never filed for a trademark?

[ziggy]

LM
Trademarks have to be renewed. If not they become fair game - maybe that happened here. Looks like a Ford Escape with a downsized front end of the Edge.

[sulli]

Why introduce a traditional suv, when gas is getting more and more expensive and the market is moving towards more efficient, more car like crossovers? I guess the same very good product planners at Hyundai aren't present at Kia. Unless this is going to break some new ground in efficiency, towing, and off-road prowess, I don't see it being a success- especially when the well known pathfinder, explorer, 4- runner, g. cherokee are all very good at what they do and fighting for dwindling market share.

[Dave T.]

Sulli,
if it makes you feel any better we're all wondering the same thing here at HQ.

[J]

Tribeca comment counter: number 2 here.

[J]

Tribeca comment counter: number 2 here.

[JM]

looks like a tribeca to me too.

lots of copying going on latley. Hondas looking like BMW's, Acuras looking like Audis, Kias looking like Subarus, Toyotas looking like Mazdas...

[Ken L.]

Sulli/Dave T.,

Since Hyundai is coming out with the Genesis, which will be V8 powered as an option, Hyundai needs to spread development cost. And since Hyundai’s V8 won’t really make sense in a uni-body SUV like the Veracruz, Santa Fe, or Tuscon; they’ve decided to build a traditional body on frame SUV with a V8 engine for their sister company, Kia, in order to offer more choices for consumers. I’m sure the V8 will also appear in other applications in the future. It may not be the most popular option, but it’ll be offered on their top of the line vehicles.

[Derek Bill]

Borrego Springs, CA is no stranger to severe (hot) climate automobile testing. Last June I saw a diesel Jeep Wrangler undergoing some kind of test out there in 115 degree weather. Also, it's been home base to automotive journalists doing desert comparos. Maybe that's where the name garnered consideration.

[Nic]

I think the grille and headlights resemble the Chrysler Crossfire

[J]

Nic,
The headlight is no way close to the Crossfire.
The Crossfire has a little dip at the outside of the headlight unit, while this one does not.

[buy car looking used]

perfect car an not bad promo, koreans make better.

[Alex]

here is some perfect cars - http://inyourcar.info
Kia is my leader today - its nice, strog and powerfull.

[Borrego]

What, Huh? It's a redesigned Mesa?