"Cross the boundaries of traditional pickup."
Kia held 'The Kia Tasman Tech Day' on the 27th at the Floating Island in the Seocho District of Seoul, showcasing various technologies applied to the Kia Tasman, which freely transitions between off-road and on-road driving. The engineers who developed the Tasman pursued a traditional pickup but dreamed of something beyond that. Their will to freely transition between off-road and on-road was already crossing the boundaries of traditional pickups.
On this day, Kia introduced various off-road and on-road technologies applied to the Tasman through a presentation by the Research Institute responsible for its development, creating a separate space to exhibit related parts to enhance understanding of each technology. The detailed introduction included vehicle body design applied to implement the characteristics of traditional pickups, such as a new pickup platform, fording performance, robustness, and utility load capabilities. Various technologies and towing-specific features to realize outstanding off-road performance, including a 2-speed ATC (Active Transfer Case), an electronic locking differential (e-LD), and dedicated terrain modes, were also unveiled. Specifications developed to provide optimal driving experience, such as R&H performance that ensures stable driving on both off-road and on-road, excellent NVH performance, and class-leading second-row space were also showcased.
A Kia official noted, "The Tasman is the result of continuous efforts by researchers to develop the brand's first traditional pickup with outstanding marketability" and added, "We want to convey the efforts of our researchers to develop a vehicle that customers can be satisfied with during this event."
▲Body design
The Tasman introduced a new pickup platform to implement the characteristics of a traditional pickup, including outstanding load capacity, powerful off-road performance, and high durability.
The Tasman's platform features a body-on-frame structure with two thick frames connected by crossmembers, ensuring durability suitable for a maximum loading weight of 700 kg and a towing capacity of 3,500 kg. This body-on-frame structure is based on a ladder-shaped steel frame that supports the powertrain and body, allowing it to withstand heavier loads compared to ordinary passenger vehicles, providing a foundation for outstanding load capacity, high durability, and superior off-road driving performance.
The Tasman has a high minimum ground clearance of 252 mm (based on the X-Pro model) optimized for off-road driving, and key components such as the transmission and exhaust system are strategically placed above the frame to prevent damage during off-road driving.
Kia applied a multi-skeleton structure to the body mounting section connected to the Tasman's frame to effectively disperse vibrations transmitted from the road to the interior space, and enhanced the application of high-strength steel to respond to body twisting during off-road driving, creating a high-strength lightweight body.
Kia also positioned the air intake inlet for the first time at a height of 950 mm inside the upper part of the side fender, placing it in a direction opposite to the vehicle's forward motion to prevent water from entering the engine through the intake during fording, thus achieving fording performance capable of traversing 800 mm of water at a speed of 7 km/h. The Tasman optimized the size and robustness of the loading bed and applied various convenience features to maximize the usability of the cargo space.
The Tasman's cargo bed can accommodate a maximum load of 700 kg in a volume of approximately 1,173 liters (based on VDA standards), with dimensions of 1,512 mm in length, 1,572 mm in width, and 540 mm in height. The width between the wheel houses is designed to allow for standard pallet storage as per country.
Additionally, the Tasman features divider mounting grooves to partition the cargo space efficiently, a bed liner to prevent damage to the cargo area, bedside lighting, securing rings, cargo securing rails and clips, and a 220V inverter to enhance convenience, work efficiency, and leisure usability.
Kia developed original customization products considering ease of installation, durability, and usability alongside vehicle development. Buyers can choose various customization products with cohesive designs and high quality, such as single-decker and double-decker canopies, sports bars, side steps, bed covers, and sliding beds.
▲Off-road specifications and towing-specific features for rough terrain
The Tasman boasts the best off-road performance among all Kia vehicles introduced to date, based on a four-wheel drive (4WD) system that incorporates various off-road specifications.
The secret lies in the 2-speed ATC. The 2-speed ATC is a component that transmits the driving force of the engine to the front and rear axles, allowing the driver to select one of four driving modes—2H, 4H, 4L, or 4A—depending on the driving conditions. Optimized driving modes are provided for various driving situations.
In 2H mode, driving force is transmitted only to the rear wheels for fuel-efficient driving, while in 4H mode, it is evenly distributed to the front and rear wheels for off-road driving. In 4L mode, which engages low gear, driving force is maximized to enable driving on even more challenging terrain, while in 4A mode, the vehicle automatically determines the driving state to distribute optimal driving force.
Kia equipped the X-Pro model with an electronic locking differential (e-LD) that allows the driver to lock the rear differential at will, a terrain mode 'Rock' optimized for mountainous terrain, and the 'X-Trek' mode to further enhance off-road driving performance.
When the driver activates the electronic locking differential (e-LD), it locks the rear differential, providing equal driving force to both left and right wheels, enabling smooth driving even in situations where one wheel is slipping on uneven or slippery surfaces. The Rock mode operates only in 4L mode (low gear engagement), equally distributing maximum torque driving force to front and rear wheels, ensuring stable driving on mountainous terrain through TCS control optimized for off-road.
The X-Trek mode maintains low-speed driving (below 10 km/h) on rough terrain by controlling engine torque and brake hydraulic pressure, allowing the driver to focus solely on steering without pedal operation.
The infotainment screen shows the vehicle's lower surface, aiding the driver in precise vehicle operation, and features like 'Off-road page' allow the driver to check engine, transmission oil and coolant temperatures, and the vehicle's driving state—specifications that can be utilized during off-road driving.
To cope with increased engine load while towing, the Tasman optimizes cooling performance and incorporates towing-specific features, achieving towing capability of up to 3,500 kg. Kia has enhanced the Tasman's radiator size and increased the fan diameter and output to strengthen engine cooling performance, while adopting an air-cooled oil cooler for transmission oil cooling. The tow mode differentiates transmission patterns based on towing weight to optimize ride comfort, shifting feel, and fuel efficiency.
Additionally, Kia has implemented a 'trailer brake controller' that can set proper braking force considering the weight of the trailer, a first for Kia, along with a 'trailer stability assist feature' to prevent the trailer from swaying sideways during towing, ensuring safer trailer towing.
▲Driving experience that transcends on and off-road
The Tasman provides an optimal driving experience anywhere, based on outstanding driving performance and ample interior space.
Kia connected the Tasman's chassis frame to the body using two separate mount bushings and four integrated mount bushings to ensure stable vehicle behavior. The separate mount bushings were placed at the vehicle's front, considering collision performance, while the integrated mount bushings were placed at the central and rear sections, close to the interior space, allowing independent firmness settings for front and rear as well as left and right to enhance ride comfort and NVH performance.
Kia applied a high-mount double-wishbone type suspension with enhanced durability and corrosion resistance to the front suspension of the Tasman to secure stable driving performance and high ground clearance.
The Tasman's rear suspension features a rigid axle leaf spring type suspension, providing comfortable ride quality equivalent to existing SUVs when unloaded, and enabling it to withstand loads well when loaded. The Tasman's front and rear shock absorbers utilize frequency-responsive valves tuned for various terrains and polyurethane stoppers to reduce body movement, further enhancing ride comfort.
The basic model of the Tasman is fitted with HT (High-way Terrain) tires suitable for on-road driving, while the X-Pro model is equipped with AT (All-Terrain) tires, which have a 28 mm larger external diameter and a tread pattern suitable for off-road driving, providing specialized driving experiences for each model.
To further enhance NVH performance, Kia applied double-glazing acoustic glass to the front windows and first row, actively using soundproofing materials throughout the vehicle. The ventilation passage from outside to the interior was optimized to minimize road noise intrusion, and seal strips reduced wind noise generated between the passenger compartment and the cargo space.
Kia integrated various convenience features in the Tasman and secured class-leading second-row space to provide a comfortable travel experience for family customers. High-utility convenience features, such as ccNC-based 'panoramic wide display,' Harman/Kardon premium audio system, 'folding console table,' and dual-type wireless charging system, were widely included.
Based on a passenger cabin size of 2,214 mm, the Tasman reduces the thickness of the first and second-row seatbacks to provide a more generous second-row space, ensuring top-class leg, head, and shoulder room, facilitating comfortable travel for second-row passengers. The second-row seats, which are typically difficult to recline due to the nature of mid-size pickups, are optimally designed to include the first-ever sliding interlinked reclining function, while 'wide open hinges' that allow the second-row doors to open up to 80 degrees were applied for more convenient loading of cargo.
Additionally, a 45-liter high-capacity 'second-row seat bottom storage' that is accessed by lifting the seat cushion was installed, boosting the indoor storage competitiveness.
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