Kia is expanding its range by developing its first pickup truck, which could be named the Tasman. After being spotted numerous times in its home market of South Korea, photographers have captured for the first time a test mule in Europe. The camouflaged truck was photographed while undergoing testing alongside a Ford Ranger and the range-topping Raptor variant. At this stage, with very little information about Kia’s plans for the Tasman, it’s hard to determine whether the Korean automaker actually intends to offer a direct rival to the Raptor or not.
In Europe, the Raptor is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 288 horsepower, instead of the much more powerful 392 horsepower and 405 horsepower variants available in Australia and the U.S. The Ford Ranger remains one of Kia’s main targets in the highly competitive midsize pickup truck segment, along with the recently upgraded Toyota Hilux.
Kia confirmed last year that it was developing a body-on-frame pickup truck to challenge the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux in markets such as Asia, Australia, and other regions around the world. Currently, the midsize truck is still heavily disguised. First and foremost, the pickup will have a boxy exterior. The vehicle not only has a straight roof and vertically-aligned front and rear panels, but also square wheel arches, side mirrors, and a passenger cabin, resembling the Jeep Gladiator.
Although the truck bed may appear shorter, Kia is sure to make it functional. The company has added a useful step on the rear bumper, making it easy for owners to reach in and grab their belongings.
The lighting system design will play an important role in connecting this pickup truck with the larger Kia family. The vertically-oriented daytime running lights (DRLs) at the front seem to resemble the ones on the updated Sorento and EV9. Additionally, the upward-sloping curve at the bottom of the rear window of the Tasman carries the style of an electric SUV.
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