Kia has released official teaser images of its first-ever pick-up truck, the Tasman. Named after the ‘rugged beauty and pioneering spirit’ of Tasmania, the island at the southernmost tip of Australia, the teaser images show the Tasman truck wearing an Australia-inspired camouflage wrap.
Developed in collaboration with renowned artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop hailing from Australia and New Zealand, the wrap – themed around ‘The Path Never Taken’ – visualizes a journey of inspiration encountered while driving along the coast and across the outback. It draws on the mixed-media artist’s adventures, hitching rides in the back of utes across Australia.
The Kia Tasman camo design story
Known for his unique artistic style and ability to blend various media to create visually bold and powerful collaborations, Boyd-Dunlop captures elements of land and sea with the Tasman camo wrap. The finish combines the ‘fiery hues of the outback with commanding blues that pay homage to Australia’s influential surf culture’.
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Commenting on the new Tasman, Karim Habib, executive VP and head of Kia Global Design said:
“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.”
Kia has confirmed that the Tasman is scheduled to make its debut in 2025, and the C-segment pick-up truck’s launch strategy will be phased globally, including key markets such as South Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Conspicuously absent from the list of named markets is ASEAN, whose member Thailand is one of the world’s most important one-tonne pick-up truck markets. According to Kia:
“In addition to effortlessly fulfilling the role of a work-orientated 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.”
Kia hasn’t released the technical details and powertrain options the Tasman pickup truck will have. However, it is confirmed that the Kia Tasman will be a global product and will be available in both LHD and RHD guises with potential markets including South Korea, the Middle East, Africa, and of course Australia. A formal debut is expected later this year as a 2025 model-year vehicle. Stay tuned for more information.
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