Kia is forging ahead and expanding the development scope of its first-ever pickup truck, which will most likely be named the Tasman. After having been spotted multiple times in its home market of South Korea, our spy photographers had a breakthrough by capturing a prototype testing in Europe for the very first time.
But that’s not all. The camouflaged truck was spied testing alongside a Ford Ranger—and not just any Ranger, but the range-topping Raptor. At this stage, with very little information trickling down on Kia’s plans for the Tasman, it’s difficult to determine if the Koreans are actually planning to offer a direct rival to the Raptor.
In Europe, the Raptor gets a heavily detuned twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 288 hp, instead of the much more potent 392hp and 405 hp variants available in Australia and America, respectively. In any case, the Ford Ranger series is one of Kia’s main targets in the hotly contested mid-size pickup truck segment, alongside the ever-popular Toyota Hilux that was only recently facelifted.
SH Proshots
Kia confirmed last year that it’s developing a body-on-frame pickup truck to compete with the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux in markets such as Asia, Australia, and other select regions worldwide. However, its availability in the U.S. remains uncertain, largely depending on whether they’ll establish local production to bypass the so-called Chicken Tax.
Unfortunately, the mid-size truck is still under a significant amount of camouflage. However, there’s still plenty to see. For starters, it’s evident that the truck will have a very boxy appearance. Not only does it appear to have a straight hood and vertical front and rear fascias, but the wheel arches, side mirrors, and passenger cabin are also quite squared off, giving it a similar vibe to the Jeep Gladiator.
While the bed might appear on the shorter side, Kia is certainly going the extra mile to ensure it’s practical. They’ve added a handy step right into the rear bumper, making it a breeze for owners to reach over and snatch their gear from the bed.
Read: This Is What Kia’s New Mid-Size Pickup Truck Could Look Like
It appears that the lighting design will play a role in tying this pickup to the broader Kia family. Those vertical daytime running lights (DRLs) up front seem to bear a resemblance to the ones on the updated Sorento and the EV9. Additionally, the upward curve at the bottom of the Tasman’s rear window carries echoes of the electric SUV’s styling.
Previously, the YouTube channel WoopaTV filmed a prototype lurking in a parking lot in Korea. The video provided a brief glimpse inside the Tasman, revealing utilitarian design choices that will likely echo the exterior styling lines.
Kia has a two-pronged approach in its pickup strategy. They’ve confirmed the development of both an internal combustion version (as seen here) and a different, all-electric truck, which would be offered in the States. The EV variant is anticipated to be built on the E-GMP platform, while the Tasman, as seen in these spy shots, might share the body-on-frame platform with the Borrego, also known as the Mohave.
Kia Australia previously confirmed that the Tasman will feature a diesel powertrain in their market. The most probable engine to find its place under the Tasman’s hood is Kia’s 2.2-liter CRDi four-cylinder turbocharged unit in at least two forms producing from around 175 to 200 horses. However, the possibility of a larger engine cannot be ruled out especially since the Borrego also offers a 3.0-liter turbo diesel with nearly 260 horsepower.
If the persistent rumors about the truck’s potential availability (and production) in North America turn out to be true, it would likely involve fitting it with a gasoline engine instead of a diesel one, aligning with regional preferences.
Expected to be unveiled sometime this year, and to go on sale in 2025, it will be interesting to see if Kia can break into the global pickup market with the new Tasman.