Could it be? Kia Tasman set to be brand's first pickup truck -- report

According to a report by Australian motoring publication Drive, Kia has possibly revealed the name of its upcoming pickup truck.

The South Korean automaker has filed a trademark application for the name “Kia Tasman” in several global patent offices, including Australia and New Zealand.

In addition, what seems to be a camouflaged test mule of the upcoming pick-up has been spotted on the roads of South Korea.

The name was filed under several different categories related to motor vehicles, such as “automobiles” and “trucks,” which could point to the new vehicle being a pickup truck. 

Also read: Kia Tasman name filed, a Korean challenger to the Hilux with an Aussie-inspired name

One name, multiple meanings

Tasman also has a significant meaning in Australia as it refers to the Trans-Tasman link and the Tasman Sea that separates Australia and New Zealand. 

It also could be a reference to the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first European to discover Tasmania Island. 

Aside from this, the Tasman name could reference the Tasman Series, which was held between 1964 and 1975 as an important race series in Australia and New Zealand.

Engine options

Whatever the actual meaning, it will hold some significance in Australia as the upcoming pickup truck has been in development since 2020 and could come with diesel and gasoline engines. 

While nothing has been finalized, reports indicate that the Kia Tasman may be powered by a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine currently available in the Genesis GV80. It produces 278 PS and 588 Nm of torque. 

Kia does have access to the same engine options as Hyundai, so sharing an engine between the two companies is nothing new. 

According to Drive's report, the Kia pickup truck will utilize a new ladder-frame chassis and come with a payload of around 1,000kg. Unlike the more lifestyle-oriented Hyundai Santa Cruz, the Kia Tasman will likely be a proper workhorse pickup truck.

There is no news about when the pickup truck will debut globally. 

What do you think of the Kia Tasman?

Like our story? Let us know by giving a 5-star rating.