Category: tasman

Feb 18

The Kia Tasman Wants to Tackle the Ford Ranger

The Kia Tasman is going after the Ford Ranger Raptor. The new Kia truck may have been caught with a Ford Ranger in the wild.

Truck battles are happening even though some options aren’t even out yet. The highly anticipated Kia Tasman pickup truck was spotted being tested alongside a Ford Ranger Raptor. Will the Kia Tasman be able to compete?

What to expect with the Kia Tasman

According to the Korean Car Blog, the boxy Kia Tasman truck could be based on the Kia Telluride or its cousin in other countries, the Kia Mohave. Both are midsize boxy SUVs with rugged features.

However, the new Tasman truck is still being spotted while wearing heavy amounts of camouflage, so we have to wait a little longer to see how its boxy style turns out.

Also, the Tasman has a massive target in its sites. It was spotted going head-to-head against the Ford Ranger Raptor, which is well-equipped for harsh off-roading conditions and desert racing.

In other countries, the Ranger Raptor has a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine with 288 hp. The American Ranger Raptor provides 405 hp.

The Ford Ranger and Kia Tasman in the snow
Kia Tasman spy shot | Korean Car Blog

The Tasman is rumored to feature a 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine with roughly 260 hp. It might need extra justice to catch the Ranger Raptor in Australia.

Also, we know that Kia has two trucks waiting in the wings. One will be a body-on-frame rugged off-roader, which is probably the Tasman. The other is expected to be a smaller, unibody electric truck.

Only one of these options will come to America. The chicken tax could prevent the Tasman from being affordable in the United States, but we aren’t giving up hope.

If the Tasman is available in the United States, it will have a gas-powered engine that meets our higher emission standards.

It’s not the best time to catch the new Kia truck being tested in Europe instead of America. But we should get more clues by the summer. If it’s already being tested, it could be production-ready.

Features like the built-in bumper step, convenient bed size, utilitarian cabin with upscale materials, and heated/ventilated seats have our motors running. Stay tuned for updates.

Aug 19

Kia Tasman Pickup Truck: What to Expect from Kia’s Latest Venture

Exciting developments are on the horizon for the automotive world with Kia’s new pickup truck, the Kia Tasman. Announced as part of Kia’s expanding lineup, the Tasman is set to bring a fresh take to the pickup segment. While it’s promising news that the project is moving forward, enthusiasts will need to exercise patience as the Tasman is still in the works.

Unveiling the Kia Tasman: What We Know So Far

The Kia Tasman is the working name for one of two upcoming Kia pickup trucks, with both models expected to launch by 2027. The first is a dedicated electric truck, and the second will cater to emerging markets with a versatile design. Although there are hints that the Tasman could potentially be available in the U.S., its final form and specifications remain under wraps, with speculation pointing towards a rugged design inspired by the Kia Mohave SUV.

Anticipated Performance and Power

While official specs for the Kia Tasman are yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated to be a formidable contender in the heavy-duty truck segment. Early estimates suggest it could offer a towing capacity of up to 7,716 lbs and a payload capacity of 2,204 lbs, challenging leaders like the Jeep Gladiator. For its electric variant, the dual-motor setup could deliver up to 379 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, potentially outperforming the Ford F-150 Lightning in range, though it may be more compact, akin to the Rivian R1T.

Arrival and Market Impact

The Kia Tasman is projected to debut in mid-2024, with a market launch anticipated by 2025. The truck’s production in South Korea raises concerns about potential price increases due to tariffs, though its availability in the U.S. is still uncertain. As the development progresses, updates will be closely followed, with hopes that Kia’s electric trucks might hit the market sooner than expected.