Kia will enter the rugged pickup market with the new Tasman that will debut globally in the coming months. After a lot of speculation, Kia finally released a teaser video in Australia confirming the pickup and the country as its first launch market. The Tasman will later go on sale internationally, sources tell us.
- Kia Tasman to get a 2.2-litre diesel engine
- Expected to get rugged off-road gear
- Will be a sold in multiple markets
Tasman will rival Hilux, Ford Ranger and other rugged pickups
The Tasman will be Kia’s first pickup to feature ladder-frame architecture and will be positioned to take on popular contenders like the Toyota Hilux, the Ford Ranger and the Volkswagen Amarok. While the design of the Kia Tasman has not been revealed, Kia did show a silhouette of the truck that confirms it will be a boxy pickup with an upright stance, angular design and high ground clearance.
While not much is known about the platform or the off-road gear, Kia 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.
Kia is expected to share more details on the Tasman in the coming months with a global debut expected to take place in the second half of this year. There is no news of the Tasman coming to India, however, the carmaker will bring the new Carnival MPV and the EV9 to our market this year.
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