Kia has formally unveiled its first pickup truck, the Tasman earlier than it hits world markets. On account of its worldwide availability, Kia will provide the Tasman in a number of powertrain configurations, together with a diesel mannequin. Nevertheless, the Korean automaker can be creating two new all-electric pickups that shall be offered within the US. Immediately’s photographs provide a have a look at what a BEV Kia pickup might appear to be.
The Tasman is the first-ever pickup truck from Kia set for a world launch in 2025. Per its makers, the truck pushed the boundaries of what a pickup truck may be and can invite prospects to “dive into a brand new dimension.”
Kia started teasing the disclosing of the Tasman earlier this month forward of the worldwide reveal in the present day through 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. Clients within the Center East and Africa will be capable of select from both configuration.
The ICE variations shall be offered in numerous 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, but it surely’s as a result of Kia can be engaged on an all-electric model of the Tasman pickup we noticed being examined this previous Might.
Whereas we await the arrival of Kia’s first all-electric pickup, unveiling the combustion variations of the Tasman affords hints as to what a extra sustainable mannequin might appear to be. Listed here are some recent photographs:
Kia’s first pickup has arrived, however the place’s the electrical one?
What was fascinating about Kia’s press launch following the worldwide reveal of the Tasman was that there was no point out of any BEV fashions. That could possibly 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 at the least 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 shall be produced regionally (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 approach 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 time, but it surely doesn’t look like the identical design because the Tasman and extra carefully 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, but it surely must be constructed atop Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform, which is more likely to ship at the least 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 carefully monitor this one and report again as we be taught extra.
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