The Tasman differentiates itself from its sibling, Hyundai's Santa Cruz, by opting for a ladder frame construction over a unibody design. This choice hints at a more robust capability for the Tasman. It becomes Kia's second vehicle to feature this type of construction after the Mohave, also known as Borrego.
Kia plans to first roll out the Tasman in South Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. However, it is designed as a global model with potential availability in additional markets over time.
The name "Tasman" was inspired by Tasmania island state and the Tasman Sea. This nomenclature originated from Kia's Australian branch, connecting the vehicle with an adventurous image.
In terms of competition, the Tasman is positioned against established names like the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok, and Toyota Hilux. This sets up an interesting dynamic in the pickup truck market segment.
Speculations around its specifications suggest that at launch, the Tasman will feature a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine taken from Sorento. It is expected to be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Options for both two-wheel and four-wheel drive will be available across various configurations including single-cab, dual-cab, and chassis cab models.
Source: Kia
