Kia has started teasing its new Tasman with a short video and the first official image of the double cab in a colourful camouflage.
The Tasman is scheduled to go on sale in Australia first in 2025, after which it will be launched in several key markets in a staggered manner including Africa, Korea, and the Middle East.
South Africa is one of the countries earmarked for a Tasman introduction following its debut Down Under, confirmed Gary Scott, CEO of Kia’s local subsidiary, as reported by TimesLive.
Unfortunately, no timeline is available as yet, though we should be among the first countries to receive the bakkie given the prevalence of these vehicles on every month’s sales charts.
Everything we know
While still mostly undercover, the teaser images of the new Tasman provide several insights into the design of the bakkie.
It’s clear that the Kia undoubtedly has one of the more angular profiles in the segment with a blocky nose, proud wheel arches, and straight lines underscoring its exterior aesthetic.
Similarly, it wears a large grille with thick vertical slats creating several individual square elements, with matching LED headlights in a similar look to those on the new Picanto framing the front fascia.
In addition, the pre-production model gets two front tow hooks, integrated roof rails, and what appears to be beefy all-terrain tyres, speaking to its adventurous persona.
Looking real close, we can also spot front parking sensors and cameras on the bumper and wing mirrors, indicating that it will have a 360-degree camera system and possibly functions such as blind-spot monitoring.
Apart from what has been confirmed by these images, the Tasman’s specifications and features are still up in the air.
Prototypes spotted on public roads have revealed that the bakkie employs a ladder-frame chassis and leaf-spring rear suspension which will enable it to meet industry standards in terms of towing, hauling, and off-roading, hence, expect a payload capacity of around one tonne and towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.
Additionally, it is likely that the Tasman will be equipped with the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox which are already doing duty in other large Kia vehicles such as the Sorento and Carnival.
The setup produces 148kW and 440Nm, though Kia may consider boosting its potential ever so slightly if it aims to dethrone segment favourites like the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 (150kW/500Nm) and Ford Ranger 2.0Bi-Turbo (154kW/500Nm).
Competing in the leisure bakkie segment, the Tasman will naturally provide four-wheel drive, too.
Rumours were rife that the new Kia may be shipped with a 3.0-litre, V6 powerplant from the get-go.
However, the automaker stated that upcoming emissions regulations will not allow for such an engine to be sold in pure-combustion guise, but that it may form part of hybrid configurations being planned for a later introduction.
At launch, the new Tasman will be available as a double cab only, though it is anticipated that chassis-, single-cab options are also in the pipeline.
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