Kia showcased the technology applied to the first genuine pickup truck, the Tasman, on the 27th.
Kia held the "Kia Tasman Tech Day" at the Floating Island in the Seocho District of Seoul and unveiled the technology mounted on the Tasman. A Kia representative noted, "The Tasman is the result of our Research Institute's continuous efforts to develop the brand's first genuine pickup vehicle," adding, "We want to convey the dedication of our researchers to develop a vehicle that satisfies our customers through this event."
A new pickup platform has been applied to the Tasman to embody the characteristics of a genuine pickup, including load capacity, off-road performance, and high durability. The Tasman's platform features a "body on frame" structure, which involves placing the powertrain and body on a ladder-like steel frame. This structure can better withstand heavier loads compared to regular passenger cars. With this platform, the Tasman achieves a maximum payload of 700 kg and a towing capacity of 3,500 kg.
The Tasman is optimized for off-road driving. Kia designed the Tasman with a high minimum ground clearance of 252 mm (based on the X-Pro model) and arranged key components like the transmission on top of the frame to prevent damage during off-road driving. For the first time in a Kia vehicle, the air intake is positioned at a height of 950 mm inside the upper part of the side fender to prevent water ingress. This allows the vehicle to traverse water up to 800 mm deep at a speed of 7 km/h.
Kia applied a 2-speed Active Transfer Case (ATC) to the Tasman. The 2-speed ATC is a component that transmits the engine's driving force to the front and rear axles, allowing the driver to choose from four driving modes depending on the driving conditions: ▲2H ▲4H ▲4L ▲4A. It also includes specifications like a "ground view monitor" that displays the vehicle's undercarriage on the infotainment screen to assist the driver in precise vehicle operation.
To ensure a stable driving experience, Kia equipped the base model of the Tasman with HT (High-way Terrain) tires suitable for on-road driving, and applied double-laminated soundproof glass to the front windshield and first-row windows to reduce noise.
It also secured the largest second-row space in its class. Given the characteristics of a mid-size pickup, the second-row seat, which is challenging to tilt back, has been optimally designed to include the first sliding recline function in its class. A 'wide open hinge' that allows the second-row door to open up to 80 degrees was applied to facilitate easier loading.