Kia Borrego Goes Bye-Bye
Kia Motors will be retiring the young Borrego SUV for 2011. Though the model may return thereafter, high fuel prices and a sharp shift away from sport-utes have forced the Korean automaker to pull out of the SUV wars in America. The Borrego was released for ‘09 as a luxury SUV, offering a spiffy interior, four-wheel-drive, a 6-spd. AT, and a 337 hp 4.6 L V-8. The Borrego’s starting price was nearly $27,000, with full-spec models hitting up to $42,000. High fuel prices have contributed to the Borrego’s poor sales performance: it was intended to sell 20,000 units in the US, but has failed to hit half that number.
Inside Line’s Wacky Predictions for 2010
We don’t consider Inside Line as the highpoint for automotive journalism–any site that runs a comparo between an old Ferrari 308 GTB and a Korean minivan is likely a waste. But the refreshed (and overdone) Edmunds spin-off has run an oddball list of ten events it sees happening in 2010.
The article was done by someone going under the creative name of “the Mechanic.” Rumor has it he was a former Detroit exotic dancer, sometime salesman, and later editor for The Advocate. Actually, we’re not really sure. Nor do we care.
So here is a summary of Inside Line’s predictions:
The BMW 5 Series GT and Honda Accord Crosstour will be colossal failures.
The Chevy Volt will be a sales flop. Read more
Image Gallery: Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai’s new Sonata clearly looks more creative than the old. The radical styling takes many cues from the Mercedes CLS-class–and we’re not complaining. No V-6 will be available for the Sonata; instead, Hyundai will be pushing ahead with improved safety, interior amenities, and fuel economy. Weight is down to a total range between 3,100 and 3,400 lbs.–an astonishing figure for the growing mid-size range.
The standard engine will hover around variations of a 2.4 L direct-injection unit averaging just under 30 mpg and achieving 190+ hp. Engines will be linked to either a 6-spd. manual or automatic transmission. Interior space and luggage capacity are both greater than their top competitors from Honda and Toyota. Hyundai will be making a “Blue Drive” gas-electric hybrid system available for preview soon after the regular sedan’s release. A more powerful turbo-charged 2.4 will be offered for drivers seeking output in a V-6 range. Read more
Hyundai Admits Defeat in Japan
We’ve grown used to hearing good news about Hyundai prospering during these sour times, but not everything’s bright for the Korean giant. The company will be fleeing the Japanese market after struggling there since its launch in ‘01. Hyundai failed to get past its “cheap” stigma in the Land of the Rising Sun, selling just fifteen thousand vehicles there in eight years.
Soul, Forte Mark New Era for Kia
Official pricing and specs for the Kia Forte sedan have been released. The Forte will have a starting price of $13,700; a total of two engines, four transmissions, and three trim levels will be offered, with a coupe bodystyle soon to follow. The Forte replaces the Spectra as Kia’s primary compact vehicle. The Forte is the second model of a new generation of Kias to reach North America. Kia management is hoping to recondition the brand to appeal to young buyers as an alternative to Toyota’s Scion. Borrowing a Scion cue with the tC, the new Kia line will drop innovation and instead offer stylish designs inspired from existing products. (The tC was formulated from research that found young buyers wanting something akin to a BMW in aesthetics.)
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