Kia Tasman revealed tow testing in NSW

The Kia Tasman ute drip feed continues with a new promotional video featuring the dual cab diesel 4x4 tow testing in outback New South Wales.

Due to be unveiled soon and go on-sale in the first half of 2025, the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux fighter has undergone intensive local testing as part of its global development program.

Kia has already promised the Tasman will deliver full 3500kg braked towing capacity as well as tonne-plus payloads depending on the model.

The video starts with a disguised left-hand drive Tasman prototype tackling some tough terrain in outback NSW solo before hitching up to a test trailer using water, steel and concrete for ballast and hauling it along a variety of roads and trails.

At the end of the video the Tasman reveals its location by driving past the Pooncarie Hotel. The tiny township with a population of 226 is in arid south-western NSW 230km from Broken Hill.

Previous videos have shown the Tasman water-fording in Korea, track and off-road testing in California and forest tracks in the Australian Capital Territory.

Capable towing while retaining a useable payload will be a very important ingredient of the Tasman’s sales appeal in Australia. Kia Australia regards that as one of a number of non-negotiables.

Kia Australia has set itself a 20,000-25,000 annual sales target for the Tasman, making this the second biggest market for the new ute globally behind its Korean home market.

The Tasman will come to Aussie buyers offering a wide range of mainstream double-cab, single-cab and cab/chassis body styles, plus 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains with manual and automatic transmissions – all combined with 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder power.

Based on what’s been revealed so far by Kia or in spy shots, the Tasman will combine mechanical orthodoxy with an up-market interior and divisive exterior styling, including ‘eye brows’ over the wheel arches.

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