AJC CAR NEWS
Kia’s midsize SUV has V-8 engine; BMW will have diesel engine
Friday, December 12, 2008
Borrego is Kia’s first SUV
South Korean automaker Kia weighs in with its first midsize, seven-passenger, V-8-powered SUV. The 2009 Borrego is built with a ladder-frame structure — the kind that provides strong towing capacity and rugged off-road durability in truck-based
AP photo
The 2009 V-8-powered Borrego is built to provide a strong towing capacity and off-road durability. It is the first V-8 to be offered in a Kia in the United States.
AP Photo
The 2009 BMW 3-Series sedan will be available with a new diesel engine. The engine meets the emissions standards in all 50 states. The 3-series will also get a mild appearance touchup.
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SUVs.
The Borrego’s top engine is a 337-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 with 323 foot-pounds of torque — enough to tow 7,500 pounds. This is the first V-8 offered in a Kia in the United States.
The Borrego’s base engine is a 3.8-liter V-6 that’s also the highest-powered six cylinder in the Kia fleet. It has 276 horsepower and 267 foot-pounds of torque.
Borrego’s posted pricing starts at $26,995, including destination charge, which makes it the SUV with the highest starting price at Kia.
Also in 2009, the Kia Optima midsize sedan grows 3 inches longer from bumper to bumper, styling is updated and new features include Optima’s first navigation system.
The Optima’s base, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is new and cranks out 175 horsepower and 169 foot-pounds of torque, while the Optima’s 2.7-liter V-6 adds 5 horses, to 190.
Elsewhere, the Sorento and Sportage SUVs get face-lifts with new grilles.
Up to the test: BMWs to feature diesel engines
German automaker BMW brings back to the States a diesel engine in the new model year.
Both the X5 SUV and the 3-Series sedan will be available with the new 265-horsepower, 3-liter, turbocharged, diesel, inline six-cylinder that puts out an amazing 425 foot-pounds of torque. This engine meets emissions requirements in all 50 states.
The 3-Series also gets a mild appearance freshening in front and back and the new generation of iDrive information technology inside.
Meantime, later in the model year, the flagship 7-Series sedan will debut as a newly styled car with new suspension and the 400-horsepower, 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that’s already in the BMW X6.
Look for BMW’s Z4 two-seater to end production this year.
