The new KIA Tasman mid-size pickup is an interesting light utility vehicle, now presented for military customers, which we spotted at IDEX 2025, reports Bob Morrison.
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A couple of my (mostly much younger) defence sector journalist colleagues who seldom venture outside the UK and treat the biennial Eurosatory defence and security expo in Paris as the extreme limit of their foreign forays, think I’m a bit crazy travelling to distant places to attend industry exhibitions. Although I like experiencing different cuisine and cultures, I don’t actually enjoy the travelling involved, but if I was to stay glued in front of my computer relying on search engines to research subjects I’d inevitably end up well behind the curve… and being ‘old school’ I prefer to be slightly ahead of it if at all possible.
KIA Special Vehicles surprised the defence world at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi by showcasing (alongside the KLTV and a KMTV rolling chassis) their brand new Tasman mid-size pickup truck, which is only just entering full-scale production, complete with a military paint job. Conceived primarily for the Australian SUV market, the Tasman is pitched as a direct competitor to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux so could easily pop up as a competitor for future European military utility vehicle requirements; though its appearance is possibly a little too late for it to enter the UK MoD LMV (Light Military Vehicle) procurement competition.
Measuring 5410x1930x1870mm high, the new Korean four-door 4×4 pickup truck has a gross vehicle weight of 3250kg and offers 1100kg payload plus 3500kg towing capacity; i.e. making it a likely quite reasonably priced non-US softskin truck replacement for those countries with ageing Land Rover Defender or G-wagen fleets approaching retirement. The Tasman is powered by the Hyundai Smartstream FR 2 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesel engine, which produces 207hp (154kW) at 3,800rpm, through an 8-speed automatic box, so maintaining convoy road speeds should not be a problem. Published off-road approach and departure angles are 29° and 25° respectively, fording depth is 800mm, and wheel track is 1624/1636mm. Full militarisation is possible and both van body and cargo versions have been designed.
[© Bob Morrison]
The Tasman was tested for over four years in various regions, including the US, Sweden, Australia and the Middle East, with a strong focus on the UAE. Final words, for the moment, are taken from company publicity: “After an intensive testing and durability programme, the KIA Tasman is ready for [the] military market.
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Footnote: The major expansion of this year’s IDEX, including a massive additional temporary exhibition hall built on what has previously been used for the military capability tableaux and manufacturers’ mobility display, meant that regrettably attendees were unable to watch any defence vehicles being put through their paces.
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