New Kia Tasman: A Game-Changer for Pickup Trucks with True Ruggedness

Saudi Arabia : Kia launches its first pickup, the Tasman. The company builds it to blend serious off-road power with comfort and top technologies.

• It is the first-ever Kia pickup truck, which they built for off- and on-road excellence.
• It boosts up to 800mm water wading and 3,500kg towing capacity.

Kia is now in a new territory with the Tasman, which is its first pickup truck. The vehicle, why they designed it from scratch, doesn't follow the usual rules.

Instead, it has a mix of serious off-road skill with practical touches, comfort, and strong towing ability. The Tasman is ready for the demands that come with work and adventure.

Built to Go Anywhere

The Kia Tasman makes use of a new body-on-frame platform for strength, off-road handling and top load capacity. It can carry up to 1,151kg and tow up to 3,500kg.

Ground clearance is up to 252mm in the X-Pro, with approach, departure and ramp-over angles to help it climb, descend and navigate rough paths. Off-road features include:

• Two-speed Active Transfer Case with 2H, 4H, 4L, and 4A modes.
• Electronic Locking Differential for steady traction.
• Terrain modes which includes Desert mode for use in the Middle East.
• X-Trek Mode for low-speed control of under 10km/h.
• Ground View Monitor and Off-Road Page that shows real-time system data.

They place the engine air intake high inside the fender to avoid water. The Tasman can wade through 800mm deep water at up to 7km/h.

Performance That Fits Your Region

Buyers In the UAE and other regions in the Middle East will get two choices of engine:

• 2.5L petrol engine (281PS/421Nm) with 8-speed automatic.
• 2.2L diesel (210PS/441Nm), with either 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic.

The petrol model will hit 100km/h in 8.5 seconds, while the diesel is 10.4 seconds. The two have the ability to reach up to 185km/h. Fuel efficiency is rated at 8km/l for petrol and 13.2km/l for diesel 4WD.

Smart Utility and Bed Features

The company has built the rear bed to carry standard-size pallets with up to 1,212L of space and 1,151kg payload. It includes:

• Divider slots.
• A 220V outlet.
• Others  like bed covers, side steps, sliding trays and sports bars.

The Tasman also has a Tow Mode that helps tune gear shifts so it can tow smoothly. There are also special coolers that support performance even in hot desert areas.

Comfort on the Inside

There is a rear seat recline on the inside, which is a rare feature in mid-size pickups. It has a strong soundproofing, which is all thanks to laminated glass and extra insulation.

It also has a quiet cabin, thanks to wind-cutting design and seals. The vehicle runs on Kia’s ccNC system and comes with Harman Kardon audio.

Tested for the Real World

Kia has put the Tasman through 1,777 test items in about 18,000 test cycles. “One More Round”, a global test campaign, has spanned locations like Al Qudra desert in the UAE, outback Australia, mountains in Korea, and snow in Sweden. Kia has built this pickup to last.