Kia recently unveiled an Australia-inspired camouflage wrap for the Tasman – the company's next pickup truck. The company has also shared a teaser image of the model with the vibrant camouflage wrap, following the widespread attention garnered by images and videos of the truck on social media platforms. While the overall silhouette of the one-tonner is visible in the official image, its finer details remain concealed. This latest glimpse offers the most striking representation of the international model yet, slated for release in select markets in 2025. Renowned artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop is the mastermind behind the captivating wrap, drawing inspiration from the theme 'The Path Never Taken'. With roots in Australia and New Zealand, Boyd-Dunlop's work encapsulates a journey through coastal and outback landscapes, embodying the adventurous spirit of the Tasman.
The camouflage hides many design details, but we can still make out the general crew-cab silhouette of the Tasman and its intriguing headlights, which resemble those of the Telluride and EV9 SUVs. According to Kia, the pickup's name is inspired by Tasmania's raw beauty and pioneering spirit. The launch of the pick-up truck will happen in phases, focusing on markets such as the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Korea.
Kia and Boyd-Dunlop Comment
Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design, said, 'Our Tasman pickup truck embodies Kia’s commitment to design and innovation, as well as its spirit of adventure. Artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop crafted an exclusive camouflage design, with the support of the Kia design team, that depicts a journey and reflects an essence of adventure that is unique to the Tasman.'
Sharing his thoughts, Boyd-Dunlop remarked, 'This design resonates as it evokes my personal experiences travelling across Australia and the encounters that I had. These experiences are influential to my work, and the Tasman enabled me to create a continuation of this, depicting the connection, joy, and sheer sense of adventure that is inherent to Australian culture.'
Kia Tasman Pickup: Expected Powertrain
The official powertrain details of the new pickup truck are still under wraps. It is expected to feature a four-cylinder 2.2-litre turbodiesel mill, paired with an automated eight-speed torque converter gearbox. Rumour has it that Kia will also offer a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit mated to a hybrid drivetrain. Given that it's a pickup truck, it will also get a 4x4 or all-wheel drive system. Furthermore, the South Korean carmaker may eventually provide a low-range transmission and differential locking in addition to a V6 engine for its high-performance variant.
Kia Tasman Pickup: Market Rivals
Slated to be launched in 2025, the Kia Tasman will face stiff competition from models like the Volkswagen Amarok, Ford Ranger, and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Kia has been testing the pickup truck in Aussieland for a while now. There is currently no word on whether the company plans to bring the Tasman to India in the future.
That said, Kia is all set to introduce the Clavis, a brand-new SUV, to the Indian market. With the Clavis, which will be positioned between the Sonet and Seltos, the carmaker plans to create a new niche in the Indian market. With its unveiling likely to happen by the end of 2024, the will most probably be launched in early 2025.
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