It appears that the long-rumored Kia pickup truck is finally starting to take shape, with a camouflaged tester spotted out in the wild. While it’s not clear from these photos if it’s an early development prototype or a test mule, several body panels are clearly sourced from the Mohave SUV, with the dual-cab truck boasting a healthy amount of ground clearance.
The KIA version of R1T?
At the Australian Dealer Conference, we learned that we’re coming to Australia in 2025.
Codenamed TK, it will be a full-scale pickup, unlike the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Australia, along with the US, has been dubbed the pickup nation, and while the Toyota Highlander and Ford Ranger are currently the market leaders, Kia plans to enter the market.
There will be a separate electric version.
I don’t know if it’s an Australian exclusive, but the engine will be diesel only, no gasoline.
Two candidates are the 2.2 diesel turbo used in the Sorento and the 3.0 six-cylinder turbo diesel from the Genesis GV80.
The exterior features of the Kia Tasman are a radiator grille with massive vertical fins, large mirror flaps and vertical headlight units. In addition, there are impressive plastic linings on the wheel arches.
According to preliminary information, the Kia Tasman will become a global model, and it is especially expected in Australia: local media write that the brand will officially announce the pickup truck in March.
