Auto Channel

Branded as Borrego in international markets, Kia's all-new Mohave SUV hit Korean showrooms only yesterday; and it's evident this is a vehicle gunning for a slice of its home market's luxury sector. Pinching its more individual badge from the Opirus luxury sedan, the Mohave is marketed as a stylish and upmarket SUV for the aspiring consumer. An impressively-shot photo collection is attached.

Waving in a vehicle expected to sell 20,000 units annually in its home market and shift 60,000 units in overseas markets, Kia's new SUV has been designed to rumble America's home-grown models. It will take on the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer in its principle market, North America, and follows in Hyundai's footsteps with their aspirational new Genesis sedan.

Development on the new model took 29 months and an investment of $245 million, the SUV being modelled largely on that of 2005's Detroit show concept car, the Mesa.

The Mohave is to be offered with a range of V6 and V8 engines, dependent on market. A 3.0-litre V6 diesel, the second-generation 3.8-litre V6 gasoline and newly-developed 4.6-litre V8 Hyundai Tau engine will be on offer, with the latter unit expected to be de-tuned to produce greater torque and power of 333 hp.

Marketed as an aspiring luxury SUV, the new Mohave also focuses heavily on its safety features. With 75 percent of the car's frame being constructed using high-strength steel, cabin integrity is exceptionally high while a plethora of airbags protect occupants in the event of a crash. In addition to such safety additions, the Mohave will be no faux-4x4, it being fitted with variable height air-suspension, hill descent control and a high low-range gearbox.

The Borrego will debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 13th and is set to enter the US market in late spring or early summer. Stay tuned for all the news from Detroit and an official press release on Kia's latest SUV designed for North America.