Kia Tasman teased in a unique camouflage wrap; global debut in 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Not only BYD, but Kia is also gearing up to introduce its first-ever pickup truck to the automotive world. Earlier this month, the Korean automaker announced the name of its pickup as 'Tasman,' and it has now revealed the first official image of the vehicle, which features a unique camouflage wrap

The pickup is named after the rugged beauty and pioneering spirit of Tasmania, the island at the southernmost tip of Australia, while its camouflage draws inspiration from the iconic landscapes of the land down under.

Kia joined hands with the renowned artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop hailing from Australia and New Zealand to craft this unique wrap. It underpins the ‘The Path Never Taken,’ theme featuring unique graphics that depict a journey along the coast and across the outback, reflecting Boyd-Dunlop's own adventures.

“Our Tasman pickup truck embodies Kia’s commitment to design and innovation, as well as its spirit of adventure. Artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop crafted an exclusive camouflage design, with the support of the Kia design team, that depicts a journey and reflects an essence of adventure that is unique to the Tasman,” commented Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design.

“This design resonates as it evokes my own personal experiences travelling across Australia and the encounters that I had,” said Boyd-Dunlop. “These experiences are influential to my work, and the Tasman enabled me to create a continuation of this, depicting the connection, joy, and sheer sense of adventure that is inherent to Australian culture.”

The upcoming Kia Tasman is positioned as the C-segment pickup truck, set to rival the likes of the established players such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, and Mitsubishi Triton and not to forget the highly-anticipated BYD Shark.

The Kia Tasman showcases a crew-cab design reminiscent of the Telluride and EV9 SUVs, with headlights that echo the styling cues of these models. The use of all-terrain tyres suggests a potential emphasis on off-road capabilities. 

In terms of powertrain, the Tasman is expected to be equipped with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, paired with an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Additionally, speculation surrounds the possibility of a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine variant featuring a hybrid powertrain. Features like all-wheel drive or a 4x4 system, differential locks, and a low-range gearbox are likely to be a part of the standard kit.

“In addition to effortlessly fulfilling the role of a work-oriented pickup, the Tasman is designed to meet customers’ diverse personal needs. Suitable for a demanding 24/7 lifestyle, Kia’s versatile truck will support even the most extreme leisure activities,” says Kia.

Scheduled for a 2025 debut, Kia's first-ever pickup truck will be introduced in phases across significant markets, including Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Also read: Kia EV9 electric SUV bookings now open in Malaysia; launch soon