Kia has formally unveiled its first pickup truck, the Tasman earlier than it hits international markets. Attributable to its worldwide availability, Kia will supply the Tasman in a number of powertrain configurations, together with a diesel mannequin. Nevertheless, the Korean automaker can also be creating two new all-electric pickups that can be bought within the US. As we speak’s photographs supply a take a look at what a BEV Kia pickup could appear like.
The Tasman is the first-ever pickup truck from Kia set for a worldwide launch in 2025. Per its makers, the truck pushed the boundaries of what a pickup truck may be and can invite clients to “dive into a brand new dimension.”
Kia started teasing the revealing of the Tasman earlier this month forward of the worldwide reveal in the present day in the course of the Jeddah Worldwide Motor Present. To start, this new pickup will launch in Korea with a 281PS 2.5-liter gasoline engine in addition to Australia with a 2.2-liter diesel model. Prospects within the Center East and Africa will be capable to select from both configuration.
The ICE variations can be bought in varied trims, together with Base, X-Line, and X-Professional, with single- and double-cab variations. So why are we speaking about gasoline automobiles? It’s bizarre, however it’s as a result of Kia can also be engaged on an all-electric model of the Tasman pickup we noticed being examined this previous Could.
Whereas we await the arrival of Kia’s first all-electric pickup, unveiling the combustion variations of the Tasman provides hints as to what a extra sustainable mannequin could appear like. Listed below are some contemporary photographs:
Kia’s first pickup has arrived, however the place’s the electrical one?
What was attention-grabbing about Kia’s press launch following the worldwide reveal of the Tasman was that there was no point out of any BEV fashions. That might be as a result of the information got here from Kia International, not Kia US, so the information pertains to different markets that may see the gasoline variations.
We’ve identified about Kia’s plans for no less than two all-electric pickups since 2022 when it shared plans for one devoted EV mannequin in addition to a “strategic mannequin for rising markets.” On the time, Kia confirmed that “electrical variations of those fashions can be produced domestically (within the US) from 2024.”
Nevertheless, we beforehand reported a camouflaged model of the Tasman being examined in California, hinting that the combustion model may additionally make its option to the US. Right here’s a picture of a camo’d mannequin being examined for comparability to the variations proven above:
Moreover, Kia was noticed testing an electrical pickup within the US over the summer season, however it doesn’t look like the identical design because the Tasman and extra intently resembles the EV9. It doesn’t seem that Kia will hit the 2024 manufacturing goal for the all-electric pickup however there are nonetheless two months left to unveil it to the general public.
Kia has not but shared any specs pertaining to the all-electric pickup, however it must be constructed atop Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform, which is prone to ship no less than 300 miles of vary.
We’ll be taught extra because the all-electric pickup nears manufacturing and Kia begins sharing particulars of its efficiency and different options earlier than gross sales begin within the US. We’ll intently monitor this one and report again as we be taught extra.
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