Category: Kia

Here is the first picture of the new Kia SUV, set to compete on the most competitive and declining segment in the US. Dubbed Borrego, the new SUV will be unveiled officially at the next 2008 Detroit Motor Show.

Manufactured in South Korea, the Borrego will be roomy enough for seven people. It will be available with either a V6 engine or an optional V8 engine. No information has been given regarding the latter but it might be the new Tau V8 engine which made its debut in the Hyundai Genesis concept car. The 4.6 litre engine is reported to deliver more than 300 bhp and will boost the Borrego’s towing capacity.

The Borrego will offer a unique warranty to customers: 10 years or 100,000 miles. In an overcrowded segment, it might convince customers to switch to an otherwise rather unappealing brand. Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder might be about to face a new threat.

Kia has released the first picture of its three-door Cee’d, due to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Compared to the five-door hatchback, the 3-door variant is longer, lower and lighter.

The car was designed by Kia’s design team in Europe under the direction of its Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. It will be available in dealerships early next year.

If we take into account the current range, which includes the five-door hatchback and the estate as well as the upcoming convertible, Kia will be the first Korean carmaker to offer a complete range on the European market. I wonder if Hyundai, of which Kia is a subsidiary, will offer the same range for its i30.

Do you remember the Kia Mesa concept car, unveiled at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show? You should. It was one of the surprise hits of the auto show. A four-door SUV that offered room for six people, it was a sign of the new direction being taken by Korean carmakers regarding concept cars: a coherent design strategy and a viable blueprint for production. Two years later, the SUV has reached production stage, according to two pictures that have recently appeared on a forum for enthusiasts.

At first glance, the production Mesa is close to the concept car. The grille, alloy wheels and all bear close resemblance to the original show car.

At the Detroit Motor Show, the SUV concept car was powered by a six cylinder engine, but Kia executives have also revealed that the car’s engine compartment was roomy enough for a V8 engine. Watch out, Ford Explorer. After stiff competition from Japanese carmakers, Korean companies are now also set to give Ford a run for its money.

Click here to see all the pictures

After the positive reception of the Kia Cee’d by journalists, Kia is continuing to ‘Europeanise’ its range. At the next Frankfurt Motor Show, the Korean carmaker will unveil the car that is considered its “Audi TT” interpretation.

According to insiders, the car may be powered by a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine producing 222bhp/225hp. The coupé was designed by Peter Shreyer, head of Kia’s European design centre and former designer of none other than the Audi TT.

The car will be built in Europe. This concept car may be an indication of the direction Hyundai is taking. Perhaps Hyundai cars will be built for the U.S. market while Kia cars will be designed for the European market.

The Scion Xb model’s success on the American market has aroused other carmakers’ ambitions. Kia will be the first to respond to Toyota’s brand. Here are some spyshots of the car due to be launched at the next Detroit motor show. The Soul will have enough room for five people(?) and will be powered by a 2.0 litre four cylinder engine coupled with a five speed automatic gearbox.

Compared to the eponym concept car from which it derives, the Soul production model will lose the suicide doors, the chopped roof and the big wheels. In order to cuts costs, Kia has also replaced the 4WD drivetrain by a simple FWD platform.

The car is also expected to be sold in Europe at some point, where Kia would equip it with a diesel engine.