Just like Kia's upscale Sorento SUV, the Mojave sports leather seats and accents, but the Korean brand has taken their concept a step further by adding a healthier portion of rich aluminum trim.
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| Kia outfitted the Mojave with leather seats and a healthy dose of rich aluminum trim. (Photo: Kia Canada) |
The Mojave concept is powered by the brand's 3.8-L V6 engine, which delivers 192-hp at 5,500 rpm and 217-hp at 3,000 rpm in the Sorento SUV. The engine as featured in this concept, however, boasts something closer to 280-hp according to Kia. Just like its production van and SUV, the Mojave features a 5-speed automatic transmission.
While based on the Sorento, the pickup's wheelbase has been extended to span 3,302 mm (130 inches) which should improve ride quality over the already impressive SUV, albeit the truck's beefier suspension components may delete any refinement gains.
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| The concept truck is powered by Kia's 3.8-L V6 engine, with a reported output of 280-hp. (Photo: Kia Canada) |
The truck's fully-boxed ladder frame incorporates nine cross members. This configuration should deliver excellent payload and towing capacities. Added to the body-on-frame pickup is a double-wishbone, coil-over-shock front independent suspension system, plus a sophisticated five-link rigid rear axle with coil springs and level-control. Road holding is further enhanced by front and rear stabilizer bars plus gas-pressure shocks.
Power-assisted rack and pinion steering should make for precise turn-in, optimized by a hydraulically-controlled rear steering system that should deliver greater maneuverability during parking as well as added stability while changing lanes. So far, GM is the only automaker to provide truck buyers with rear-wheel counter- and same-phase steering system.