Kia has just teased its first-ever light-duty pickup truck – the Kia Tasman – with a colourful camouflage wrapped around it. The Korean carmaker says the Tasman will be wearing the unique-looking wrap until it is officially unveiled to the world, which is set to take place by the end of this year (2024). Key markets it will be serving include Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
The Kia Tasman will be marketed as a “C-segment” pickup truck. Its main rivals will consist of the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Isuzu D-Max. No specific details have been shared for the Kia Tasman just yet, but the truck is reported to be powered by a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It is also reported to come with 4×4 and 4×2 configurations.
There are even rumours of a GT variant of the Tasman featuring a V6 engine being developed as well. Aside from traditional internal combustion engine-powered variants, an all-electric Tasman is also reported to be in the making and will make its debut later in 2026.
Based on spy shots that have surfaced online, the Kia Tasman has been seen testing on public roads in the United States and Australia. It is built on a ladder-frame platform, making it a larger vehicle than the unibody Hyundai Santa Cruz.
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This bespoke camouflage design has been developed by Kia in collaboration with Australian and New Zealand mixed artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop. Inspired by the nature of Australia, the wrap is themed around “The Path Never Taken”, which Kia says underscores the Tasman’s adventurous spirit.
The design of the camouflage wrap is said to capture elements of the land and sea. Kia says its finish combines the fiery hues of the outback with commanding blues that pay homage to Australia’s influential surf culture. In fact, the name of the pickup truck – Kia Tasman – is named after Tasmania, an island located at the southernmost tip of Australia.
Commenting on the Tasman’s camouflage, Kia Global Design Head and Executive Vice President Karim Habib 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.”
Artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop said, “This design resonates as it evokes my own personal experiences travelling across Australia and the encounters that I had. These experiences are influential to my work, and the Tasman enabled me to create a continuation of this, depicting the connection, joy, and sheer sense of adventure that is inherent to Australian culture.”
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