Major Kia Tasman change coming

We have just gotten our first proper look at the powertrain that will likely propel the Kia Tasman out of the diesel era, with heavy reporting that the brand is plotting a 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain for its dual-cab ute in 2026.

And now we've received our first look at it, with the all-new Hyundai Palisade launching with a turbo-hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, firing out 245kW and 460Nm of torque which is sent to all four wheels via a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Billed as a dual-motor hybrid, the transmission incorporates a P1 motor responsible for engine start-up, battery charging and contributing to the acceleration. A P2 motor, also in the transmission, is then responsible for performance and regen-braking. The brand says the dual-motor system makes for smoother power delivery and less fuel use.

Not only does the new powertrain produce more power and torque than the diesel-powered Tasman (which makes 154kW and 440Nm), it also promises to be more efficient, with Hyundai promising 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle, where the diesel-fuelled Tasman quotes at least 7.9L/100km.

The Kia Tasman is already offered with a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine in other markets, producing 207kW and 421Nm, but that engine was ruled out for Australia in the face of tightening emissions regulations through the NVES.

While the driven wheels in the Palisade and Tasman are different, the brand has flagged that hybridisation is the next step for its ute, ahead of a switch to plug-in power, even flagging the 2.5-turbo-hybrid as the target powertrain.

Asked if the 2.5-litre hybrid was the favourite to power the electrified Tasman, Kia Australia’s chief of product planning Roland Rivero has previously told CarsGuide “that would make sense”.

And with the powertrain also expected to appear in rear-drive Genesis models, the development cost of switching to a rear-drive layout can be spread across the company, with a rear-drive solution expected in 2026. 

“With NVES currently in play, the priority would probably be more of an electrified hybrid, for example, to try and see us through to the longer term,” Mr Rivero has said.

As to when, that remains something of a mystery, but with reports the rear-drive solution will hit the Hyundai Group in 2026, the wait might be almost over.