Kia is coming up with a hotly awaited new model, the Kia Tasman pickup truck. According to reports from the South Korean media, the all-new pickup will make its world debut at the Jeddah International Motor Show in Saudi Arabia from October 29 to November 2, 2024.
This choice may seem unusual, but for Kia, the Jeddah International Motor Show is not only an important platform for the Middle East market, but also an important starting point for the car to target the global market.
Powerful Design & Off-Road Performance
The exterior design of the Kia Tasman reveals powerful off-road performance. With its rugged construction, protective chassis guards and atmospheric stance, rough surface lines and reinforced bodywork, the Tasman's design inspiration not only appeals to traditional off-road enthusiasts, but also caters to a younger generation of consumers who are focused on style and usability.
In terms of engine, the Kia Tasman will never disappoint. It is expected to be powered by a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine that produces 199 hp and a whopping 441 Nm of torque. This engine has already been proven in the Sorento model and the Tasman will strike a balance between off-roading and daily driving with this configuration. To meet the demand for higher performance, the Kia could also be launched in the future with a high-performance version powered by a 3.0-liter or 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, to compete with rivals such as the Ford Ranger Raptor.
Technology for off-roading
Kia understands that true off-road performance relies on more than just power and looks, and the Tasman will demonstrate leading-edge off-road capabilities on a technical level. The vehicle is likely to be equipped with an advanced four-wheel drive system that supports a variety of terrain modes such as rock, mud, sand and snow, ensuring that the vehicle will be comfortable in different environments. The vehicle will also be equipped with a steep hill descent control system and a navigation system tailored for off-roading, providing drivers with an off-road experience like never before.
Kia will also offer a wide range of customization options for the Tasman, from different trim packages to off-road-specific accessories, so that consumers can create a unique Tasman according to their needs. This personalization option enhances the appeal of the vehicle and creates a deeper emotional connection with its owner during its use.
Tough Tests & Superior Performance
During the development process, Kia tested Tasman in as many as 1,777 different types of tests, totaling more than 18,000 test turns. These tests were conducted not only in the world's harshest environments, such as the deserts of the Middle East and remote areas of Australia, but even on rugged mountain roads and hot sand dunes, where the Tasman demonstrated outstanding reliability and off-road performance.
Kia also showed the Tasman in a video test drive scenario in the Al Qudra desert in the UAE, where the vehicle traversed sand dunes at high speeds and even demonstrated drifting and extreme off-road maneuvers. These tests not only showed that the Tasman can handle a wide range of complex terrains, but also demonstrated its excellent handling and dynamics, especially in terms of load and towing capacity, which is estimated to be up to 7,700 lbs. and 2,200 lbs. maximum.
Conclusion
The Kia Tasman's arrival marks a significant move for the brand in the global pickup market. Not only does it excel in terms of design, power and off-road capability, but it also offers consumers the opportunity to personalize the vehicle to meet the needs of different markets. With the Tasman set to make its world debut at the Jeddah International Motor Show, this model will undoubtedly be a strong competitor to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, with future sales performance to be expected.