Kia Tasman, Toyota Hilux rival, Kia pickup truck teaser, global debut

Kia is gearing up to unveil its first-ever pickup truck, the Hilux rivalling Tasman that will see a global debut in the coming months. Ahead of its full reveal, Kia has teased the Tasman, wrapped in a unique camouflage developed in collaboration with New Zealand-based artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop, inspired by Australia’s diverse landscapes.

1. Kia Tasman will go on sale in Australia first
2. Will be sold in both left and right hand drive markets
3. Will initially come with a 2.2-liter diesel engine

Kia Tasman pickup truck: design highlights

The Tasman features a boxy design with barely any curvy elements. While the pickup truck is fully wrapped in camo, it features five vertical slats in the front grille, vertically-stacked headlamps with DRLs that possibly extend to the middle horizontally. Moving to the side, it gets chunky wheel arches and muscular alloy wheels with disc brakes on all four wheels. The Tasman features a double cab layout, which will likely be standard.

Kia Tasman pickup truck: what else is known? 

Kia is yet to reveal any details about the specifications of the Tasman. The Korean camaker had earlier had confirmed that the Tasman will get a diesel engine, most likely a 2.2-litre unit that powers many other Kia and Hyundai models like the Carnival and Santa Fe.

Scheduled to make its debut in 2025, the Tasman will mark Kia’s entry into the rugged pickup truck market to take on the likes of Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok. Kia says that the Tasman pickup truck will be done in a phased manner, starting with Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.

There is no news of Kia bringing the Tasman pickup truck to India. Instead, the carmaker is working on introducing the new Carnival MPV and the EV9 to the country this year.

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