Redesign Aims to Address Previous Criticisms and Attract Global Market
Kia’s ambitious new Tasman pickup truck, first unveiled in October, has stirred up excitement in the mid-size, body-on-frame truck market. The Tasman has attracted domestic and international attention as the first serious challenge to KGM’s Rexton Sports in South Korea. Designed with a strong, rugged look, Kia developed the Tasman to make an impact globally, targeting markets like Australia and South Korea.
Bold Design Overhaul: From Pickup to Full-Size SUV
In an unexpected twist, a rendering of the Tasman reimagined as a 7-seater full-size SUV has surfaced, giving the vehicle a fresh direction. The rendering, created by an overseas designer, reveals modifications to refine the vehicle’s appearance, particularly addressing mixed consumer reactions to its bold styling.
The Tasman’s front end has received a significant makeover. The grille pattern has shifted from an intense, right-angled design to a more cohesive style featuring Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille. This change has softened the previously harsh look while removing heavy plastic accents around the grille, which gives the front a cleaner, more premium feel.
Revised Headlamp Design and Streamlined Front Bumper
The headlamp design has also been reworked. The initially small, vertically oriented headlamps have been elongated to enhance their visibility, with a horizontally extended form at the top for a balanced appearance. The bumper retains its sturdy structure but has been refined, with high-gloss black accents added to elevate the overall sophistication.
The bonnet and front design, which previously had a layered, angled look, have been smoothed to create a more streamlined connection with the boxy silhouette. Tasman’s flared fenders and angular wheel arches remain, adding a rugged contrast against the body color.
Boxy Profile and Enhanced Rear Design for Added Functionality
The rendering also reveals changes at the rear, where the pickup bed has been transformed into a third-row seating area. The upward-curving window line from the B-pillar has been straightened, creating a more elongated horizontal window that emphasizes the vehicle’s boxy shape. A new rear quarter glass has been added to enhance visibility and create an open feel in the third row.
A right-angled garnish, similar to the design on Hyundai’s Santa Fe, has been integrated next to the rear quarter glass, while the Tasman’s rear layout largely remains the same. The SUV version features Kia’s “star map” lighting inside the vertical tail lamps, with a distinctive graphic that drops in a ㄷ shape. The rear design also includes a horizontal reflector and a rear diffuser, keeping the look rugged yet refined.
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