Kia has shown off a more rugged concept version of its incoming Kia Tasman ute at the Seoul Mobility Show in South Korea.
The Tasman set the car world alight when its global reveal was staged in Hobart last year, though largely for the wrong reasons. Despite its compelling spec sheet and plush interior, the Tasman failed to win many fans over on design.
With a suite of utilitarian-style cosmetic tweaks, this new concept seeks to change that. Displayed in an eye-catching matte Lime Green paint, Kia has given the Tasman Concept a look to rival popular souped-up Aussie utes such as the Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota HiLux Rogue.
'Get it right as a ute': Here's what needs to happen for a Kia Tasman SUV to be built and take aim at the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X according to Australian executives
Much better looking! New image of Kia Tasman ute surfaces ahead of Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux rival's launch
Why the 2025 Kia Tasman ute looks great | Opinion
That starts with body-coloured wheel arches, which soften the Tasman’s in-your-face design. Sharp new body panelling, custom front and rear bumpers and Lime Green accents give it a tougher look, while a suspension lift, chunkier off-road tyres and new alloy wheels show it is a more capable beast.
Additionally, Kia has shown the Tasman Concept fitted with a litany of off-road accessories, including a winch mounted to the front bumper, roof-mounted LED lights, an extra cargo area between the tub and bed, ‘WKNDR’ badging and unique sports bars.
A WKNDR version of Kia's new PV5 electric van was also displayed, showing similar features that included a suspension lift, off-road tyres as well as an extendable mesh roof – similar to a roof-mounted tent. The PV5 remains off the cards for Australia, though.
The Tasman's 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine confirmed for the Australian market appears to be unchanged. It delivers 154kW/441Nm, a far cry from the Ranger Raptor’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that delivers 292kW/583kW.
It may get an additional tune, should it arrive in production guise, although Kia has all but ruled out offering a six-cylinder option due to emissions regulations. In South Korea, the Tasman is also offered with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that delivers 207kW/447Nm.
A production version of this latest concept is yet to be officially confirmed, but Kia has said it is exploring more creative options for the Tasman down the track, including a potential SUV.
Expect more information of future Tasman variants following its rollout across Australian showrooms by the middle of this year.
.jpg)
