Ranger danger — Tasman breaks free

0 0 November 07, 2024 Edit this post

Ready, set go. Kia has revealed 'full details' of its highly anticipated Tasman ute due here early next year.

Powered exclusively by Kia's tried and tested 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, Kia claims the funky 5.4 metre long newcomer is set to redefine the market sector.

A hybrid, plug-in hybrid and/or an electric version could follow further down the track.

Tasman will be available in dual cab, plus single and dual cab-chassis form, in two- or all-wheel drive form, with high and low range four-wheel drive.

Ground clearance in the rugged X-Pro dual cab version is a commendable 252mm, with an impressive wading depth of 800mm, an auto-locking electronic rear diff and selectable off road modes that allow the car to crawl off-road without the need for the driver to touch the brakes or accelerator.

Kia's head honcho Ho Sung Song said the company's first-ever pickup was created from the ground up to transform the market, responding to a growing preference for lifestyle-oriented trucks with advanced features.

“The Kia Tasman is a progressive pickup truck that follows its own path, not the competition," he said.

"The Kia Tasman combines true pickup values with exceptional capability and practicality, and advanced features that defy conventional thinking.

"This essence is instilled in our global slogan ‘Dive into a New Dimension’, enabling customers to broaden their horizons.

"It offers world-first solutions for those seeking a lifestyle vehicle for leisure and outdoor activities while meeting the needs of small business operators, such as traders and farmers.”

Land Rover's new Defender was a quantum leap in styling and Kia has opted for a refreshing new look that will help new Tasman stand out from its conservatively styled competitors.

With a body on frame design preferred by off-roaders, Tasman stands 5410mm long, 1930mm wide and between 1870 and 1920mm tall depending on grade, with a 3270mm wheelbase (distance between axles).

It will be offered in entry, X-Line and X-Pro grades.

All wheel drive is optional for the entry grade, but comes standard with X-Line and X-Pro.

The tub is 1512mm long, 1572mm wide (1186mm between arches) and 540mm deep, providing best-in-class cargo capability of 1173 litres (VDA).

Thanks to a multi-skeleton, highly-strengthened bed structure, it can carry up to 1195kg in two-wheel drive form as well as tow a 3500kg braked load.

X-Pro is targeted at the off road fraternity, with 28mm more ground clearance and 17-inch wheels with all-terrain rubber.

X-Line is the looker with larger 18-inch alloys paired with more road-focused tyres.

Cab-chassis variants will be offered to meet specific business needs, along with single cab options that optimise bed space by reconfiguring the passenger compartment into a single-row layout.

Tasman will be offered with four bed accessory configurations: Single Decker, Double Decker, Sports Bar and Ladder Rack, with the first three available immediately from launch.

In addition, there will be some 13 accessories, including two types of side steps and beadlock-style wheels and four upgrades for the load area.

Single Decker features a canopy and butterfly doors for easy access, and a roof rack for a rooftop tent
Double Decker features a trunk equipped with butterfly doors and a sliding tonneau cover, offering customisable cargo space
The Sports Roll Bar variant comes with a functional frame for mounting outdoor lifestyle items
The Ladder Rack variant features a ladder-type rack and is also compatible with rooftop tents

Offered with a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine back home, Tasman will be powered exclusively here by Kia's tried, tested and applauded 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.

The diesel produces 154kW of power and 441Nm of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with torque directed to two- or all-four wheels.

That’s sufficient to push the ute from 0 to 100km/h in a pedestrian 10.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 185km/h.

KIa says using composite bushes to link the body to the frame ensures improved rigidity, body control, stability and comfort.

Suspension is double-wishbone at the front and a rigid axle with leaf springs under the rear, with ride and handling enhanced by Kia’s frequency selective Sensitive Damper Control (SDC) and Hydraulic Rebound Stop technology.

State-of-the-art all-terrain drivetrain technology has been tested and proven in numerous locations, including the snowy tundra of Sweden, scorching deserts in the Australian outback and the Al Qudra in UAE, and steep inclines in the US and Korea.

The AWD system switches automatically to the configuration required to provide optimum traction on different road surfaces and offers three driving modes – ECO, Smart and Sport.

In Australia all-wheel-drive variants are equipped with Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock modes.

Further enhancements to the X-Pro variant include an automatically engaging rear Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) and X-Trek mode.

X-Trek mode enables the vehicle to maintain a low speed off-road without the need for manual acceleration or braking, ensuring smooth navigation through rough terrain.

The e-LD, located in the rear differential, provides advanced control over locking and unlocking, enhancing the vehicle's adaptability and control in off-road scenarios.

Kia’s Ground View Monitor (GVM) provides drivers with a further level of confidence while traversing challenging off-road terrain.

Standard-fit items include corner steps, giving easy access to the illuminated load bed.

There's also a 240-volt power outlet for hand tools or laptops, plus an optional sliding cargo floor that makes loading and unloading materials and equipment more convenient.

Along with divider-forming capabilities for the bed, Tasman offers optional bedside flexibility, with a mini table for items such as a Bluetooth speaker or cup, making it ideal for work and camping activities.

Inside, a folding console table adds further versatility, allowing the transition from a work vehicle to a mobile business space.

State-of-the-art 12.3-inch + 5.0-inch + 12.3-inch panoramic widescreen technology gives the driver and passenger access to vehicle controls and advanced infotainment options.

It also features must-have sustainability items such as a crash pad made from bio-plastics, seats crafted with recycled PET fabric and bio-PU synthetic leather, a paint composition that includes BTX-free and bio-paint, and an interior carpet is made from recycled PET material.

Tasman has been put through 1777 specific tests conducted over more than 18,000 rounds of evaluation.

These tests took place across a range of environments and covered everything from off-road ability to wading, all-terrain durability to towing, and on-track performance to ride and handling.

Tasman will initially launch in the Korean domestic market during the first half of 2025 before it is introduced in Australia, Africa and the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia expected to be a particularly strong market.

No word on the price of the new Ute yet, but expect it to be competitive.