Kia still mulling hybrid, EV power for Tasman ute
It may seem odd that the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute will soon be launched only with a diesel engine, and without any form of electrified powertrains.
That's especially so given the Korean brand's well-stocked inventory of petrol-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicle technologies, and the number of competitors adding hybrid drivetrains.
But the carmaker's first pickup is expected to eventually become available with at least EV power.
Speaking with CarExpert at the a local prototype drive for the Tasman, Kia Australia's general manager for product Roland Rivero said the Tasman's new bespoke ladder-frame platform accommodates multiple powertrain types.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"So what's on the cards of being studied and reviewed, there's definitely hybrid and [full] electrification. When, is still very much TBC," Mr Rivero said.
"I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'.
"Tasman will have a long model life. Traditional [light commercial vehicle lifecycles] are anywhere from eight to 12 years – expect to see the same for Tasman, and to sustain demand and appeal for such a long period of time, you can't sit on your laurels."
Mr Rivero added that the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis is a "fairly modular platform" which can "underpin numerous powertrains".
For now, however, Australia is only getting a Euro 5 emissions-compliant version (ie: no AdBlue) of the carmaker's 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Mr Rivero ruled out Australian availability of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in the Korean market, citing pressure from the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will see carmakers financially penalised for not meeting average emissions caps from July 1, 2025.
The turbo-petrol motor available abroad could, however, be implemented in a future hybrid drivetrain.
Last month the Hyundai Motor Group – parent of the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – detailed the next generation of its hybrid technologies, hinting at its future product plans.
Debuting in the new Hyundai Palisade large SUV, which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid system, the new set of electrified technologies are claimed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as general driveability.
You can read more about it here, but the takeaway relating to the Tasman is a small note in the release stating that a rear-wheel drive-biased version of the 2.5 turbo hybrid is in the works for a 2026 introduction.
While this is likely being developed primarily for the Genesis luxury division, it could also be tailored to the Tasman ute, given it already employs the non-hybrid version of that powertrain.
As for a battery-electric version, Kia South Africa's head of marketing, Christo Valentyn, told CarBuzz in December last year that a Tasman EV was definitely "coming", though he didn't give an indication on timing.
"I'm probably not supposed to say this, but… an electric one is coming," Mr Valentyn reportedly said at a media roundtable.
Kia confirmed globally in 2022 that it was working on two utes: "a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets", the latter of which is understood to be a battery-electric Tasman derivative.
An electric Tasman would give Kia a rival for the upcoming LDV eTerron 9, while other brands like Ford have indicated globally that they're working on electric utes of their own to compete in this segment.
There are also an increasing number of traditional hybrid (GWM Cannon Alpha and Toyota Tundra) and plug-in hybrid (BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T) utes either already on sale here or coming to Australia.
Are you hanging out for a Tasman Hybrid or EV? Tell us in the comments section!
MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman review – Prototype off-road driveMORE: Everything Kia Tasman
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
It may seem odd that the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute will soon be launched only with a diesel engine, and without any form of electrified powertrains.
That's especially so given the Korean brand's well-stocked inventory of petrol-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicle technologies, and the number of competitors adding hybrid drivetrains.
But the carmaker's first pickup is expected to eventually become available with at least EV power.
Speaking with CarExpert at the a local prototype drive for the Tasman, Kia Australia's general manager for product Roland Rivero said the Tasman's new bespoke ladder-frame platform accommodates multiple powertrain types.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"So what's on the cards of being studied and reviewed, there's definitely hybrid and [full] electrification. When, is still very much TBC," Mr Rivero said.
"I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'.
"Tasman will have a long model life. Traditional [light commercial vehicle lifecycles] are anywhere from eight to 12 years – expect to see the same for Tasman, and to sustain demand and appeal for such a long period of time, you can't sit on your laurels."
Mr Rivero added that the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis is a "fairly modular platform" which can "underpin numerous powertrains".
For now, however, Australia is only getting a Euro 5 emissions-compliant version (ie: no AdBlue) of the carmaker's 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Mr Rivero ruled out Australian availability of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in the Korean market, citing pressure from the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will see carmakers financially penalised for not meeting average emissions caps from July 1, 2025.
The turbo-petrol motor available abroad could, however, be implemented in a future hybrid drivetrain.
Last month the Hyundai Motor Group – parent of the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – detailed the next generation of its hybrid technologies, hinting at its future product plans.
Debuting in the new Hyundai Palisade large SUV, which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid system, the new set of electrified technologies are claimed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as general driveability.
You can read more about it here, but the takeaway relating to the Tasman is a small note in the release stating that a rear-wheel drive-biased version of the 2.5 turbo hybrid is in the works for a 2026 introduction.
While this is likely being developed primarily for the Genesis luxury division, it could also be tailored to the Tasman ute, given it already employs the non-hybrid version of that powertrain.
As for a battery-electric version, Kia South Africa's head of marketing, Christo Valentyn, told CarBuzz in December last year that a Tasman EV was definitely "coming", though he didn't give an indication on timing.
"I'm probably not supposed to say this, but… an electric one is coming," Mr Valentyn reportedly said at a media roundtable.
Kia confirmed globally in 2022 that it was working on two utes: "a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets", the latter of which is understood to be a battery-electric Tasman derivative.
An electric Tasman would give Kia a rival for the upcoming LDV eTerron 9, while other brands like Ford have indicated globally that they're working on electric utes of their own to compete in this segment.
There are also an increasing number of traditional hybrid (GWM Cannon Alpha and Toyota Tundra) and plug-in hybrid (BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T) utes either already on sale here or coming to Australia.
Are you hanging out for a Tasman Hybrid or EV? Tell us in the comments section!
MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman review – Prototype off-road driveMORE: Everything Kia Tasman
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
It may seem odd that the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute will soon be launched only with a diesel engine, and without any form of electrified powertrains.
That's especially so given the Korean brand's well-stocked inventory of petrol-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicle technologies, and the number of competitors adding hybrid drivetrains.
But the carmaker's first pickup is expected to eventually become available with at least EV power.
Speaking with CarExpert at the a local prototype drive for the Tasman, Kia Australia's general manager for product Roland Rivero said the Tasman's new bespoke ladder-frame platform accommodates multiple powertrain types.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"So what's on the cards of being studied and reviewed, there's definitely hybrid and [full] electrification. When, is still very much TBC," Mr Rivero said.
"I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'.
"Tasman will have a long model life. Traditional [light commercial vehicle lifecycles] are anywhere from eight to 12 years – expect to see the same for Tasman, and to sustain demand and appeal for such a long period of time, you can't sit on your laurels."
Mr Rivero added that the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis is a "fairly modular platform" which can "underpin numerous powertrains".
For now, however, Australia is only getting a Euro 5 emissions-compliant version (ie: no AdBlue) of the carmaker's 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Mr Rivero ruled out Australian availability of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in the Korean market, citing pressure from the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will see carmakers financially penalised for not meeting average emissions caps from July 1, 2025.
The turbo-petrol motor available abroad could, however, be implemented in a future hybrid drivetrain.
Last month the Hyundai Motor Group – parent of the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – detailed the next generation of its hybrid technologies, hinting at its future product plans.
Debuting in the new Hyundai Palisade large SUV, which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid system, the new set of electrified technologies are claimed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as general driveability.
You can read more about it here, but the takeaway relating to the Tasman is a small note in the release stating that a rear-wheel drive-biased version of the 2.5 turbo hybrid is in the works for a 2026 introduction.
While this is likely being developed primarily for the Genesis luxury division, it could also be tailored to the Tasman ute, given it already employs the non-hybrid version of that powertrain.
As for a battery-electric version, Kia South Africa's head of marketing, Christo Valentyn, told CarBuzz in December last year that a Tasman EV was definitely "coming", though he didn't give an indication on timing.
"I'm probably not supposed to say this, but… an electric one is coming," Mr Valentyn reportedly said at a media roundtable.
Kia confirmed globally in 2022 that it was working on two utes: "a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets", the latter of which is understood to be a battery-electric Tasman derivative.
An electric Tasman would give Kia a rival for the upcoming LDV eTerron 9, while other brands like Ford have indicated globally that they're working on electric utes of their own to compete in this segment.
There are also an increasing number of traditional hybrid (GWM Cannon Alpha and Toyota Tundra) and plug-in hybrid (BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T) utes either already on sale here or coming to Australia.
Are you hanging out for a Tasman Hybrid or EV? Tell us in the comments section!
MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman review – Prototype off-road driveMORE: Everything Kia Tasman
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
It may seem odd that the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute will soon be launched only with a diesel engine, and without any form of electrified powertrains.
That's especially so given the Korean brand's well-stocked inventory of petrol-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicle technologies, and the number of competitors adding hybrid drivetrains.
But the carmaker's first pickup is expected to eventually become available with at least EV power.
Speaking with CarExpert at the a local prototype drive for the Tasman, Kia Australia's general manager for product Roland Rivero said the Tasman's new bespoke ladder-frame platform accommodates multiple powertrain types.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"So what's on the cards of being studied and reviewed, there's definitely hybrid and [full] electrification. When, is still very much TBC," Mr Rivero said.
"I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'.
"Tasman will have a long model life. Traditional [light commercial vehicle lifecycles] are anywhere from eight to 12 years – expect to see the same for Tasman, and to sustain demand and appeal for such a long period of time, you can't sit on your laurels."
Mr Rivero added that the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis is a "fairly modular platform" which can "underpin numerous powertrains".
For now, however, Australia is only getting a Euro 5 emissions-compliant version (ie: no AdBlue) of the carmaker's 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Mr Rivero ruled out Australian availability of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in the Korean market, citing pressure from the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will see carmakers financially penalised for not meeting average emissions caps from July 1, 2025.
The turbo-petrol motor available abroad could, however, be implemented in a future hybrid drivetrain.
Last month the Hyundai Motor Group – parent of the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – detailed the next generation of its hybrid technologies, hinting at its future product plans.
Debuting in the new Hyundai Palisade large SUV, which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid system, the new set of electrified technologies are claimed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as general driveability.
You can read more about it here, but the takeaway relating to the Tasman is a small note in the release stating that a rear-wheel drive-biased version of the 2.5 turbo hybrid is in the works for a 2026 introduction.
While this is likely being developed primarily for the Genesis luxury division, it could also be tailored to the Tasman ute, given it already employs the non-hybrid version of that powertrain.
As for a battery-electric version, Kia South Africa's head of marketing, Christo Valentyn, told CarBuzz in December last year that a Tasman EV was definitely "coming", though he didn't give an indication on timing.
"I'm probably not supposed to say this, but… an electric one is coming," Mr Valentyn reportedly said at a media roundtable.
Kia confirmed globally in 2022 that it was working on two utes: "a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets", the latter of which is understood to be a battery-electric Tasman derivative.
An electric Tasman would give Kia a rival for the upcoming LDV eTerron 9, while other brands like Ford have indicated globally that they're working on electric utes of their own to compete in this segment.
There are also an increasing number of traditional hybrid (GWM Cannon Alpha and Toyota Tundra) and plug-in hybrid (BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T) utes either already on sale here or coming to Australia.
Are you hanging out for a Tasman Hybrid or EV? Tell us in the comments section!
MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman review – Prototype off-road driveMORE: Everything Kia Tasman
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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The ute also has vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability so it can power electrical appliances. The interior sees a new four-spoke steering wheel design in place of the two-spoke wheel seen diesel versions in local showrooms, with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.4-inch centre screen. A long-wheelbase version sold overseas increases the standard 5330mm length by 290mm but won't be offered here. Pricing and full specs have yet to be announced for the T9 PHEV, with this information likely to be announced closer to its early 2026 launch. The T9 EV also shown in Melbourne in April has not yet been locked in for an Australian on-sale. The T9 PHEV will be joined in Australian showrooms, however, by a raft of new JAC models, including a ladder-frame SUV due by the end of 2026 to take on the Ranger-based Ford Everest as well as the Toyota Prado. Content originally sourced from: What may be the Australian-spec 2026 JAC T9 PHEV dual-cab ute has made its public debut at the 2025 Greater Bay Area motor show in Shenzen, China as one of six new JAC vehicles planned for local showrooms. The JAC Hunter PHEV shown in these images from Car News China will be badged T9 in Australia, joining the current diesel-powered ute on sale here since January 2025. It will give JAC a direct competitor to the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and Ford Ranger PHEV dual-cab utes when it launches here in early 2026. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The T9/Hunter PHEV was already revealed earlier this year, though the vehicle showed off at the Melbourne motor show had quite a different look with all-terrain tyres, black wheels and a black sports bar. This Australian Edition revealed in China, in contrast, features 18-inch 'aerodynamic' alloy wheels running all-season tyres, like the battery-electric version of the T9. There's also blue badging, while the front tow hooks appear to have been removed and the sports bar appears to have a chrome finish. It's unclear whether local-spec T9 PHEVs will look more like the Chinese show car or the Melbourne show car, or if we'll get the option of both looks. The T9 PHEV is powered by a 160kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 130kW front axle and 150kW rear axle motor providing all-wheel drive. Combined output is a 385kW and a hefty 1000Nm with a 715kg payload – against the diesel T9's 1045kg – and braked towing rating of 3500kg to outmuscle the diesel versions' 3200kg rating. The 31.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery provides a claimed 100km of electric driving – more than the Ford Ranger PHEV's 49km and identical to the BYD Shark 6's range. The ute also has vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability so it can power electrical appliances. The interior sees a new four-spoke steering wheel design in place of the two-spoke wheel seen diesel versions in local showrooms, with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.4-inch centre screen. A long-wheelbase version sold overseas increases the standard 5330mm length by 290mm but won't be offered here. Pricing and full specs have yet to be announced for the T9 PHEV, with this information likely to be announced closer to its early 2026 launch. The T9 EV also shown in Melbourne in April has not yet been locked in for an Australian on-sale. The T9 PHEV will be joined in Australian showrooms, however, by a raft of new JAC models, including a ladder-frame SUV due by the end of 2026 to take on the Ranger-based Ford Everest as well as the Toyota Prado. Content originally sourced from:
