The Kia Tasman bakkie is set to be launched internationally in 2025. Picture: Supplied
Kia has dropped a new teaser of its Tasman one-tonne bakkie, which is set to rival the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, when it likely debuts in South Africa next year.
International reports are suggesting that the new bakkie will be revealed internationally towards the end of October, before going on sale in Australia, Africa and the Middle East during the first half of 2025.
In the new teaser video, posted on Kia’s YouTube channel, we see the upcoming bakkie contender take on desert dunes in the United Arab Emirates.
“We continue testing the Kia Tasman in the harsh desert conditions of Al Qudra, United Arab Emirates. Each challenge has strengthened its capability and endurance.
“It is about mastering the elements, proving that with every test, we have pushed further to ensure the Kia Tasman is ready for whatever the desert demands,” Kia said.
Unlike the unibody Hyundai Santa Cruz, which is sold in markets such as the US, the Kia Tasman is a traditional body-on-frame bakkie, just like its one-tonne rivals.
According to Australia’s Drive website, the new Kia Tasman will be powered by Kia’s familiar 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, which may also receive a bit more power than the 148kW that it produces in the current Sorento. An electric version is also said to be on the cards.
Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions are likely to be offered, in line with rivals. At this stage there is no indication that a single cab version might be sold alongside the double cab that we see in the teaser material.
Stay tuned, because all will be revealed shortly.
IOL Motoring