Kia reveals its arty side with disguised new Tasman ute
Kia has taken the concept of vehicle camouflage to new, artistic heights with the first public unveiling of its all-new Tasman ute.
Car makers the world over have long relied on cleverly crafted camouflage to obscure the look of a new model before its public reveal.
But with public interest growing in Kia’s first Light Commercial Vehicle model growing to a clever advertising campaign featuring a cast of Australian sporting greats, Kia has clearly decided attack is the best form of defence.
The car maker has released images of its bluff-fronted Tasman ute cloaked in a bespoke design by renowned artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop.
Kia said the unique wrap – themed around the concept of ‘The Path Never Taken’ – underscored the Tasman’s adventurous spirit, with the ute’s name chosen from a pool of options for its connection to the Tasman Sea and Abel Tasman, the Dutch explorer who was the first European to discover Tasmania.
Due in 2025, the Tasman is the first Kia product to be bestowed an Australian-inspired name and is now also the first to don Australian-inspired camouflage, with Boyd-Dunlop’s unique graphics symbolising his travels through the untamed beauty of Australia’s diverse landscapes.
Kia Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith said: “We have strong ambitions for Tasman in our market, and the fact that its name has such distinct links to our region is evidence of Kia Australia’s instrumental role in its development and future success.”
The Tasman is designed to go head-to-head with the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, and has been developed with a range of work, trade and leisure pursuits in mind. It will be sold in various global markets including Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Kia has not yet released any technical details of the new model, but it’s been widely reported the ute will feature a sturdy, body-on-frame construction with independent front suspension and a load-oriented leaf-sprung, live-axle rear end.
The Tasman is also rumoured to feature a part-time 4x4 system and be powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine mated to an automatic transmission.
Kia confirmed its venture into the local Light Commercial Vehicle market in March of this year, releasing the ‘Kia’s getting a ute’ TVC campaign in which 20 of Australia’s most iconic sporting figures debate what the ute should be named.
More articles
Related topics
Things to note
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance Products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQI) and arranged by its agent, RACQ Distribution Services Pty Ltd (RDS) ABN 35 116 361 650, AFSL 567130 and RDS' authorised representatives (including RACQ Operations Pty Ltd ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978 (RACQO). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. RDS and RACQO are in the RACQ group of companies. One of the companies in the RACQ group of companies has a minority shareholding in RACQI.
RDS and RACQO have not taken your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account when preparing advice regarding insurance products and you will need to consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website. RDS receives a commission from RACQI for the policies it arranges. RACQO receives fees paid for services it provides to RDS. Further details about remuneration are available on request prior to purchasing.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.