Kia Unveils Brand's First Pickup Truck Tasman... World Premiere in Saudi Arabia

Tasman Unveiled at Saudi Motor Show on 29th
Brand's First Authentic Pickup Truck 'Tasman' Introduced
Launching Domestically, Then Australia and Middle East in Early Next Year
First in Class Second-Row Sliding Reclining Seats
Off-Road Performance Specialized... 18,000 Tests Over 4 Years

On the 29th (local time), Kia unveiled the Tasman, the brand's first pickup truck, for the first time in the world at the Middle East's largest auto show, the Jeddah International Motor Show.

The Tasman is Kia's first-ever authentic pickup truck. The name Tasman is derived from Tasmania, located at the southernmost tip of Australia, and the Tasman Sea. Sales are scheduled to begin in the domestic market in the first half of next year, followed by overseas markets where pickup trucks are popular, such as Australia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Kia Tasman
Photo by Kia

◆ Features of the 'Authentic Pickup' Made by Kia=To create an authentic pickup truck, Kia custom-developed everything from the chassis to design, safety, and convenience features for the Tasman. First, to increase chassis rigidity, a frame body (a method where the body is mounted on a steel frame) was applied.

Additionally, it supports an 'Auto Terrain Mode' where artificial intelligence (AI) assesses the road surface and automatically selects the appropriate driving mode, and it is equipped with a 'Ground View Monitor' that shows the underside of the vehicle on an internal monitor while driving.

Kia Tasman
Photo by Kia

Kia positioned the Tasman's air intake inside the upper part of the side fender rather than at the front of the vehicle. This was to secure a wading capability of moving through water up to 800mm deep at a speed of 7 km/h. At the same time, cooling performance was optimized to enable towing of trailers or yachts weighing up to 3,500 kg.

Kia designed the Tasman, an authentic pickup truck, to be comfortable for everyday use. Given the inherent inconvenience of the second-row seats in pickup trucks, Kia optimally designed them and applied a sliding-linked reclining function for the first time in its class. This secured best-in-class legroom, headroom, and shoulder room. Additionally, the second-row doors can open up to 80 degrees with 'Wide Open Hinges,' and a 29ℓ tray that can be used as a storage compartment by lifting the seat was applied.

Kia Tasman Interior
Photo by Kia

◆ Over 18,000 Tests Conducted Over 4 Years=Kia conducted development tests in various regions including Korea, the United States, Sweden, Australia, and the Middle East to ensure the Tasman's high-quality driving performance. Over a development period exceeding four years, more than 1,700 types of tests related to off-road specialized performance, durability, and wading capability were conducted over 18,000 times.

Kia applied a gasoline 2.5 turbo engine to the Tasman, delivering a maximum output of 281 horsepower (PS) and a maximum torque of 43 kgf·m. To reduce noise entering the cabin, double-glazed soundproof glass was applied to the front and first row, and ventilation pathways leading from outside to inside were optimally designed to minimize road noise. The Tasman's cargo capacity is a class-leading 1,173ℓ, capable of carrying up to 700 kg of load.

Kia Tasman X-pro

Kia will also launch the 'Tasman X-pro' model, which further enhances off-road performance. This off-road specialized model has a ground clearance 28mm higher than the standard model, making it advantageous for driving on rugged terrain. It also features an 'Electronic Locking Differential' that maintains equal speed between both wheels and a dedicated terrain mode (rock) specialized for mountainous terrain, enhancing off-road capabilities.

Sung Ho-sung, President of Kia, said, "The Tasman aims to elevate the value of customers' lives and pickups to a new level," adding, "By combining excellent performance, practicality, and advanced features, we will provide the optimal solution that satisfies consumers who want lifestyle pickups as well as small business owners."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.