The 2025 Kia Tasman will make its world debut in a fortnight at two global premiere events, taking place simultaneously at the Jeddah Motor Show in Saudi Arabia and in Hobart, Tasmania.
Kia has not yet formally announced the date for one of the biggest new model reveals of 2024, but a South Korean newspaper report last month claimed that the Tasman would be unveiled at the Saudi Arabian Motor Show, which runs from October 29 to November 2.
Australian media have now also been invited by Kia Australia to the Apple Isle at the end of the month, coinciding with the Middle East event.
“Join us for the Australian premiere of a very exciting and highly anticipated new Kia product,” the invitation reads.
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“That’s all we can confirm for now, along with an indication of how the event will proceed… The Kia Australia team will be in attendance along with executive visitors from the Kia Design Center and Kia HQ APAC.”
“We look forward to seeing you in Tasmania…”
That leaves little doubt that the highly anticipated Kia Tasman will provide coverage in Hobart and Jeddah simultaneously, underscoring the importance of the booming Australian car market for the South Korean carmaker’s first global car.
First customer deliveries of the all-new ute will take place in mid-2025 in South Korea, South Africa, the Middle East and Australia.
The subject of an expensive and extensive teaser campaign, the Kia Tasman was developed at the request of Kia Australia and is currently undergoing durability testing around the world, including locally.
Kia says it has completed 1,777 specific tests in more than 18,000 rounds of evaluations.
Kia Australia executives long ago stated that the brand’s first direct competitor to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, two of Australia’s most popular models, will be available in a range of body styles and powertrains.
While a battery-electric (EV) version is expected to arrive around 12 months after launch in 2026, the Tasman is expected to launch with Hyundai Group’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine under the bonnet.
In the Kia Sorento SUV and Carnival people mover, this engine produces 148 kW of power and 440 Nm of torque.
However, we expect the proven turbodiesel’s power to be increased to at least 150kW/500Nm to compete with Australia’s best-selling cars.
That and a seven-year warranty should help Kia Australia meet its target of 20,000 additional annual sales for the Tasman, eventually allowing it to surpass Ford and Mazda to become the country’s second most popular car brand behind Toyota – an increase from fourth place in 2023.
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