Kia’s eagerly awaited Tasman bakkie has been revealed in Saudi Arabia forward of its South African debut in 2025.
Looking for a new or used Kia? Find it here with CARmag!
Kia has lifted the wraps on its all-new bakkie, the Tasman, which is able to take the combat to established gamers such because the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Isuzu D-Max. The Tasman made its world debut on the Jeddah Worldwide Motor Present in Saudi Arabia, with the Korean automaker confirming that the bakkie has been earmarked for the worldwide market, together with South Africa. Paul Turnbull, CEO, of Kia South Africa, confirmed:
“The all-new Kia Tasman presents an thrilling new alternative for Kia globally, and certainly in South Africa. We’re laborious at work to make the Tasman’s native introduction a actuality, and primarily based on present planning, we goal to do that within the second half of 2025.”
The Kia Tasman has been proven with completely different physique kinds, together with double and single cab derivatives, catering to completely different necessities. When it comes to general proportions, the Tasman is 5 410 mm lengthy, 1 930 mm extensive, 1 870 mm excessive, and has a 3 270 mm wheelbase. The preliminary trim ranges comprise the extra road-oriented X-Line, which options 18-inch gloss black alloys wrapped in mixed-terrain rubber, and the extra off-road-oriented X-Professional, which encompasses a raised suspension, 17-inch wheels with off-road tyres, and a number of model-specific help programs.
The Tasman might be provided with a alternative of petrol and diesel engines. The two.5-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol develops 207 kW and 421 N.m, whereas the two.2-litre turbodiesel is available in with a punchy 155 kW/441 N.m. The turbodiesel relies on the unit at present doing service within the likes of the Sorento, and its outputs place it in the identical firm because the bi-turbo Ranger (154 kW/500 N.m) and a couple of.8 GD-6 Hilux (150 kW/500 N.m).
Regardless, the drivers can modify the transmission and drivetrain mapping due to a collection of driving modes, together with Off-Highway/Sand, Snow, and Desert Mode. As well as, the X-Professional additionally receives an robotically participating Digital Locking Differential (e-LD) that gives higher management over locking and unlocking the rear diff, and an X-Trek mode that comes with each hill-descent and a low-speed terrain crawling functionalities that don’t require braking or throttle inputs from the driving force in technical off-road settings.
Tasman Credentials
The Kia Tasman isn’t just constructed for the town however clearly intends to deal with the tough stuff, too. As such, The X-Professional mannequin has a floor clearance of 252 mm, which is 28 mm greater than the X-Line. The load bay has a complete capability of 1 173 litres, due to a size and width of 1 572 mm and 1 512 mm. Below the pores and skin, the Tasman options double-wishbone suspension up entrance, utilising Sensible Frequency Dampers for what Kia claims might be a journey high quality that separates the Tasman from its rivals.
Inside, the 12.3-inch Panoramic Broad Show infotainment system not solely options smartphone connectivity, however within the X-Line mannequin it additionally incorporates the Floor View Monitor (GVM). This technique not solely supplies a ground-level digital camera feed across the automobile to help the driving force when manoeuvring in tight areas, but it surely additionally has a devoted web page that shows important off-roading info comparable to tyre pressures and physique angles. Different inside highlights embody reclining and sliding rear seats, and an elective 8-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system.
The Kia Tasman can be fitted with the newest applied sciences and Superior Driver Help Methods (ADAS) comparable to lane preserving help, blind spot collision warning, and distant parking help via Freeway Driving Help 2 (HDA 2).
