{"id":5873,"date":"2025-05-27T19:48:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T19:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/?p=5873"},"modified":"2025-06-03T12:04:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T12:04:28","slug":"kias-cooking-something-spicy-for-its-new-pickup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/2025\/05\/27\/kias-cooking-something-spicy-for-its-new-pickup\/","title":{"rendered":"Kia\u2019s Cooking Something Spicy For Its New Pickup"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><img width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image lazyload\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kia-Tasman-ghedheie-1024x576-1.jpg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<ul>\n<li>A Kia Tasman prototype with an off-road stance was spotted testing on public roads.<\/li>\n<li>The midsize truck features grippy tires and appears to be riding on a lifted suspension.<\/li>\n<li>The prototype may hint at a production version of the Tasman Weekender concept.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rugged pickups are having a moment, with more buyers seeking something that looks like it could survive an apocalypse, and more automakers are jumping on the bandwagon. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/kia\">Kia<\/a>, a newcomer in the midsize pickup market, is considering an even more adventurous version of its Tasman model, judging by a new prototype spotted out in the wild.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placement\">\n<div id=\"82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tvar adpushup = window.adpushup  = window.adpushup || {que:[]};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tadpushup.que.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tif (adpushup.config.platform !== &#8220;DESKTOP&#8221;){<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In the single <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/kia-scoops\/\">spy shot<\/a> from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DKEaTaxRXDm\/\">Kia Tasman Club on<\/a> Instagram, we get a glimpse of a lightly camouflaged Tasman sitting on beadlock wheels wrapped in chunky all-terrain tires. The prototype also appears to be sitting higher than the standard version, which suggests some potential suspension upgrades. The dried mud on the tires and side skirts proves that this truck has already had its fair share of off-road adventures before posing for the camera.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/04\/kia-confirms-ev-pickup-for-north-america\/\">New Kia Pickup Coming To America And It\u2019s Nothing Like The Tasman<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The lifted Tasman in the picture looks like it\u2019s borrowing its bodywork from the X-Pro trim, complete with a black grille surround, unpainted bumpers, and \u201ceyebrow\u201d fenders. However, it\u2019s likely that any future production model would get a few more styling tweaks to emphasize its off-road capabilities.<\/p>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-organic\"><\/div>\n<p>Kia may have already hinted at what this tougher version could look like with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/04\/kia-toughens-up-the-tasman-doesnt-rule-out-ford-ranger-raptor-rival\/\">WKNDR (Weekender) concept<\/a>, which debuted at the 2025 Seoul Motor Show. This concept takes things a step further, showcasing a redesigned grille, more aggressive bumpers with bigger skid plates, a new hood, body-colored fenders, 35-inch tires, and a handful of off-road accessories.<\/p>\n<p>        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kia-Tasman-Rugged-Trim-Scoop-1.webp\" data-type=\"inarticle-image-block\"> <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p>                    <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" src=\"\" alt=\" Kia\u2019s Cooking Something Spicy For Its New Pickup\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1406\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kia-Tasman-Rugged-Trim-Scoop-1-1024x576.webp\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>        <\/a>  <\/p>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The spy shot of a rugged Tasman (Kia Tasman Club \/ Instagram)<\/h4>\n<section class=\"type:slideshow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><\/section>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 2025 Kia Tasman WKNDR Concept<\/h4>\n<p>When discussing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/Kia-Concepts\">concept<\/a>, Karim Habib, Executive Vice President of Design at Kia, didn\u2019t exactly shut the door on a production version. Asked about the possibility of a rugged trim to challenge the likes of the Ford Ranger Raptor, he said, \u201cmaybe that will come.\u201d Habib also noted that larger wheels and wider tracks are \u201cessential\u201d for a truck like the Tasman. So, it sounds like Kia\u2019s at least toying with the idea.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/05\/aussie-firm-builds-crazed-750-hp-ford-ranger-raptor\/\">Ford Ranger Raptor Gets The Most American Upgrade Ever<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In terms of powertrain, don\u2019t expect a V6-powered version of the Tasman anytime soon. Kia has already ruled that out due to emissions regulations. But that doesn\u2019t mean the rugged Tasman is stuck with just the standard turbocharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine and 2.2-liter turbodiesel. Roland Rivero, General Manager of Product Planning at Kia Australia, recently confirmed that the company is exploring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/05\/kia-tasman-isnt-done-yet-and-big-changes-are-already-in-motion\/\">hybrid and fully electric variants<\/a> of the pickup.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on the specifications, a new flagship trim of the Tasman would compete with the mighty Ford Ranger Raptor, or slightly less powerful proposals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/03\/2026-toyota-hilux-gr-sport-everything-we-know\/\">such as the Toyota Hilux GR-Sport<\/a>, the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior, the Isuzu D-Max Blade, and the rumored Mitsubishi Triton Ralliart.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placement\">\n<div id=\"9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<div id=\"bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tvar adpushup = window.adpushup  = window.adpushup || {que:[]};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tadpushup.que.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tif (adpushup.config.platform !== &#8220;DESKTOP&#8221;){<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2025-Kia-Tasman-1-copy.jpg\" data-type=\"inarticle-image-block\"> <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p>                    <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" src=\"\" alt=\" Kia\u2019s Cooking Something Spicy For Its New Pickup\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1406\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/2025-Kia-Tasman-1-copy-1024x576.jpg\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><figcaption>The Kia Tasman X Pro is the current flagship of the lineup.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>        <\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Kia Tasman prototype with an off-road stance was spotted testing on public roads. The midsize truck features grippy tires [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5875,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5873"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5873"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5876,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5873\/revisions\/5876"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autofusiontech.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}