Kia Mohave
Encyclopedia
The Kia Mohave, marketed in North America
as the Kia Borrego, is a luxury sport-utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by the South Korea
n-based Kia Motors
. The vehicle debuted in 2008 in the Korean 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.
, former chief designer for Audi
, was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. 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. It then did not return but was sold for longer in Canada, and is still produced for other countries, such as South Korea, Brasil. The Mohave even received the updated front grille in 2011.
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 hp 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 hp. The V8 has a towing capacity of 7500 lb (3,401.9 kg), and the V6 is able to tow 5000 lb (2,268 kg). It has a navigation system available as an option.
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 (509.5 mi) and can start in temperatures of -30 °C. As part of its testing program, Kia will put on the roads in 2010 a fleet of Kia Borrego FCEVs.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
as the Kia Borrego, is a luxury sport-utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by the South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n-based Kia Motors
Kia Motors
Kia Motors , headquartered in Seoul, is South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010...
. The vehicle debuted in 2008 in the Korean and US markets. The Kia Borrego is named after the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a state park located within the Colorado Desert of Southern California. The park takes its name from 18th century, Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, the Spanish word for bighorn sheep...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
; Borrego means "bighorned sheep" which can be found in the state park.
Production history
The production model, designed by automotive designer Peter SchreyerPeter Schreyer
Peter Schreyer is an automobile designer, widely known for his design contributions to the Audi TT and as the Chief Design Officer at Kia Motors ....
, former chief designer for Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
, was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. The vehicle was originally shown as a concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
under the Kia Mesa name at the 2005 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
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. It then did not return but was sold for longer in Canada, and is still produced for other countries, such as South Korea, Brasil. The Mohave even received the updated front grille in 2011.
Technical details
The Borrego uses body-on-frameBody-on-frame
Body-on-frame is an automobile construction method. Mounting a separate body to a rigid frame that supports the drivetrain was the original method of building automobiles, and its use continues to this day. The original frames were made of wood , but steel ladder frames became common in the 1930s...
construction, with available adjustable air-suspension, hill-descent control and a high- and low-range automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. The Borrego has three standard rows of seats in the US. The Borrego will be fitted with either the 3.0 L VGT
Variable geometry turbocharger
Variable-geometry turbochargers are a family of turbochargers, usually designed to allow the effective aspect ratio of the turbo to be altered as conditions change. This is done because optimum aspect ratio at low engine speeds is very different from that at high engine speeds...
diesel V6 (in 2010), second-generation Lambda II
Hyundai Lambda engine
The Hyundai Lambda engine family is the company's modern all-aluminum V6. It is manufactured at Hyundai's HMMA plant in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. All versions of this engine use a timing chain.-3.0:...
3.8 L V6 producing 276 hp or the recently developed 4.6 L V8 Hyundai Tau engine
Hyundai Tau engine
The Tau is Hyundai Motor Company's newest V8 engine, replacing the Omega. It is reported to deliver an estimated and of torque -- on premium unleaded fuel -- at . Currently, the version of the engine delivers and on premium unleaded fuel...
. The Tau V8 will be tuned to give less power but more torque than in the Hyundai Genesis
Hyundai Genesis
The Hyundai Genesis is a full-size luxury car initially introduced as a concept car in the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and markets the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan". The Genesis is currently not...
sedan, and creates 337 hp. The V8 has a towing capacity of 7500 lb (3,401.9 kg), and the V6 is able to tow 5000 lb (2,268 kg). It has a navigation system available as an option.
Kia Borrego Fuel cell version
The Kia Borrego FCEV is a concept car produced by Hyundai-Kia and first shown at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The green SUV concept is based on a model Borrego and has a fuel cellFuel cell
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used...
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 (509.5 mi) and can start in temperatures of -30 °C. As part of its testing program, Kia will put on the roads in 2010 a fleet of Kia Borrego FCEVs.
Awards
- Kia Borrego(a.k.a ‘Kia Mohave’) has been selected as the “Best Kept Secret” in the Autobytel.com
- Kia Borrego Awarded the "Best-in-Class Sport Utility Vehicle $25,000-$35,000" award as part of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) 2009 Winter Vehicle Awards competition.
- Kia Borrego has been named the top-rated ‘SUV $25,000-$35,000’ in the Edmunds.comEdmunds.comEdmunds.com is a provider of automotive information via Web sites, books, and other media. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica, California and maintains an office outside of Detroit, Michigan...
Consumers’ Top Rated Vehicle awards in the US. Borrego earned strong marks from consumers for its overall excellent value, along with impressive power and towing capacity, interior space, visibility, fuel economy and extensive list of standard features.