It won’t be long before Kia fully reveals its new Tasman one-tonne bakkie to the world.
To tide us over until the global reveal of its new Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger rival, confirmed for the Jeddah International Motor Show on October 29, the Korean carmaker has released more teaser images.
The images, which we’ve lightened, give us our clearest view yet of the new double cab, which is certainly not conventional in its appearance. Some have already likened its side profile to the Jeep Gladiator, while the front end certainly carries a few hints of Ford’s all-American hulk, the F250.
“The Kia Tasman has been designed so owners can engage in a broad range of professional and lifestyle activities while addressing the drawbacks typical of existing pick-up truck designs. It’s a progressive pick-up that offers genuine utility, enhancing experiences and broadening possibilities,” Kia says.
Just how it moves the boundaries by addressing those ‘drawbacks’ is something we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out.
What we do know is that unlike its American cousin, the unibody Hyundai Santa Cruz, the Kia Tasman is a genuine ladder-framed bakkie just like its aforementioned one-tonne rivals.
It is widely believed that the new model will be powered by the company’s familiar 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine found in other models such as the Sorento and Carnival, but likely in a different state of tune.
An electric version is also likely to surface at some point as Kia has promised to enter the EV pick-up space with a global model.
The Kia Tasman is expected to reach South Africa in 2025.
All will be revealed on October 29.
IOL