The Kia Tasman, a mid-sized pickup truck, has generated significant buzz ahead of its expected launch in South Korea in 2025. As the country’s pickup truck market lacks many options besides KGM Rexton Sports, Tasman is expected to attract attention. However, the vehicle’s design has been controversial since its initial reveal, drawing mixed reactions from South Korean consumers.
The Tasman’s rugged grille, narrow headlamps, fender cladding connected to the headlights, and other design features that emphasize the vehicle’s durability have been criticized for not aligning well with local preferences. Designed primarily for the Australian market, the Tasman’s styling differs from typical South Korean vehicles, adding to the mixed reception. A new interpretation of the Tasman, incorporating Hyundai’s design language, has recently sparked even more discussion.
Hyundai’s Design Influence on the Tasman
Designer Theottle, known for creating overseas virtual renderings, has reimagined the Tasman with elements drawn from Hyundai’s design language. In this version, the front of the vehicle features a seamless horizon lamp below the bonnet, which appears wider to match the truck’s larger size. This update is similar to the design of the Hyundai Kona, with vertical headlamps and side fender claddings integrated into the vehicle’s overall design.
The headlamps have been made smaller and boxier to accommodate the pickup’s larger form. At the same time, the fender claddings have been reshaped into more angular lines, offering a more streamlined and bold appearance than the original.
Santa Cruz-Inspired Grille for a Streamlined Front End
For the radiator grille, Hyundai adopted the design of the Santa Cruz, a compact pickup truck sold as a North American strategic model. The solid image of the pickup truck is emphasized through a bold pattern of three-dimensional rectangles. The Hyundai logo is placed large in the center of the grille. A chrome bar connecting the headlamps is installed below the grille.
A bold change was made to the bumper design. Compared to Tasman’s somewhat crude bumper design, it has a much simpler layout. A large air intake is placed between the bumpers, and a grid pattern is applied. The side has star-shaped wheels, a side rocker panel garnish, and fender cladding. The existing Tasman rectangular fender cladding has been naturally modified to integrate with the side rocker panel garnish.
Kona-Inspired Rear with Pixel Pattern Graphics
At the rear, the new Tasman concept incorporates horizontal tail lamps from the Kona. Once separated at the bottom, these lamps are now connected as a single unit. The side tail lamp has been adjusted to a boxier shape to maintain the Tasman’s distinctive design. Pixel patterns and T-shaped graphics have been added to the interior, ensuring design harmony throughout. The rear now features a simplified design, with the Kia logo removed from the tailgate, focusing on clean lines and modernity.
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