An off-road specialist channel in Australia tested the performance of the Kia Tasman, and the results are striking. To summarize, they said, "It's amazing that a stock vehicle can conquer the most notorious course."
The Australian off-road specialist YouTube channel Team Bree Offroad recently uploaded a video of the Tasman's ascent of Beer O'clock Hill.
Team Bree Offroad is a YouTube channel receiving support from the off-road enthusiast community in Australia, known for its content testing various four-wheel drive vehicles in extreme environments to verify their performance.
The setting of this video, Beer O'clock Hill, is a course within the off-road-only track Springs 4x4 Adventure Park in Queensland, Australia.
It is considered a popular destination for off-road enthusiasts, featuring a steep hill with a 50-degree incline and a length of 100 meters, mixed terrain of rocks, mud, and puddles that frequently causes even world-class off-road vehicles to fail their ascents.
During the ascent, vehicles occasionally overturn, creating perilous situations, earning this course the nickname "the Everest of four-wheel drive vehicles."
Among the many vehicles attempting this course, only a very small number achieve success in ascending, and even those typically undergo separate tuning to be suitable for off-road driving.
The vehicle featured in the video is the Tasman X-Pro model in stock condition, having undergone no modifications, except for the installation of off-road specific tires to enhance traction, as explained by the channel operator Lucas Bree.
Lucas, aboard the vehicle, sequentially activates the '4L (4-Wheel Drive Low) mode' and 'e-LD (Electronic Locking Differential)' feature among the 4WD system modes. The '4L mode' applies a lower gear ratio than normal driving, allowing for high torque at low speeds, which is advantageous for traversing rugged terrain, while 'e-LD' function prevents wheel slippage by blocking rotation differences between left and right wheels, allowing for a stable escape from rough paths.
He adds that the front of the Tasman does not have a locking differential, and emphasizes the importance of the traction control system in climbing Beer O'clock Hill.
Shifting into first gear and starting slowly, he begins to ascend the hill while familiarizing himself with the driving characteristics and balance of the Tasman he is driving for the first time. Entering an obstacle section, he slightly reverses to overcome the rock structure and muddy surface before attempting to drive forward again using the rebound.
During several attempts using the rebound to drive, a situation arises where one wheel lifts due to the rock structure, but the driver demonstrates skillful handling, stating, "The traction control system is operating excellently." In fact, in the video, the Tasman's body maintains its balance, and the traction control system actively intervenes to suppress wheel slippage.
Reaching the final obstacle section of the hill, he exclaims, "I have developed trust in the Tasman, which endured rough driving without an unstable feeling," as he charges through the rugged sloped section and finally succeeds in the ascent.
At the summit, he cannot contain his excitement, shouting, "Kia Tasman is the best!" He adds, "It performed unbelievably well. My heart rate is still high." He emphasizes the driving performance of the Tasman, stating, "It's ridiculous that a vehicle equipped only with an electronic locking differential (e-LD) on the rear ascended this steep hill while one wheel was off the ground."
The Kia Tasman X-Pro trim features off-road specific driving convenience functions, such as 'X-TREK mode,' which maintains speeds under 10 km/h allowing drivers to focus solely on steering without needing to manipulate the accelerator or brake pedals, and a 'Ground View Monitor' that enables the driver to assess the condition of the vehicle's underside and surrounding terrain while driving off-road.
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