Kia confirmed last year that it’s developing a body-on-frame pickup truck to compete with the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux in markets such as Asia, Australia, and others worldwide. However, its availability in the U.S. remains uncertain, depending on whether they can establish local production to bypass the so-called Chicken Tax. Now, we’re getting an eyeful of it, caught lurking in a parking lot in Korea. Unfortunately, the mid-size truck, which is expected to be called the Tasman, is still under a significant amount of camouflage. However, because the host of a video posted by the Woopa TV YouTube channel was able to get right up close to it, there’s a lot to see.
For starters, it’s clear that the truck
will be very boxy looking. Not only does it appear to have quite a straight
hood and a vertical front and rear fascias, the wheel arches, side mirrors, and
the passenger cabin are also quite squared off, giving it a similar vibe to the
Jeep Gladiator. While the bed might appear on the shorter side, Kia is
certainly going the extra mile to ensure it’s practical. They’ve added a handy
step right into the rear bumper, making it a breeze for owners to reach over
and snatch their gear from the bed.
It appears that the lighting design will
play a role in tying this pickup to the broader Kia family. Those vertical
daytime running lights (DRLs) up front seem to bear a resemblance to the ones
on the updated Sorento and the EV9. Additionally, the upward curve at the
bottom of the Tasman’s rear window carries echoes of the electric SUV’s
styling. Kia has a two-pronged approach in its pickup strategy. They’ve
confirmed the development of both an internal combustion version (as seen here)
and a different, all-electric truck, which would be offered in the States. The
EV variant is anticipated to be built on the E-GMP platform, while the Tasman,
as seen in these spy shots, might share the body-on-frame platform with the
Borrego (Mohave).
Kia Australia previously confirmed that
the model will feature a diesel powertrain in their market. The most probable
engine to find its place under the Tasman’s hood is Kia’s 2.2-liter CRDi
four-cylinder turbocharged unit, although the possibility of a larger engine
cannot be ruled out. If the persistent rumors about the truck’s potential
availability (and production) in North America turn out to be true, it would
surely involve fitting it with a gasoline engine instead of a diesel one,
aligning with regional preferences. Expected to be unveiled sometime this year,
and to go on sale in 2025, it will be interesting to see if Kia can break into
the global pickup market with the new Tasman.
