Military-spec Tasman revealed!

Kia has revealed a military-grade Tasman as part of a Hyundai Motor Group display at a defence expo in Korea.

The Kia stand included its usual crop of special military vehicles, with the Tasman being a new addition to the seldom-heard-from Special Vehicle division.

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The Tasman brought to the show is largely the same as the road-going version, although it is painted in fatigues and set up as a “Military Command Vehicle” which includes a radio and communications module where the tray would normally be.

According to Korean media, this version of the Tasman was officially selected as the standard command vehicle for the South Korean military, and is imminently scheduled for deployment.

The Special Vehicle division also showed off a bare chassis version of the Tasman, leaving everything else to the buyer.

In addition, it also earmarks the possibility to do police, snow-plow, and safari versions.

Additional capabilities for the military spec version, which appears to be based on the current top-spec X-Pro, includes, a ‘walk through van’ removing the division between the tray and cab, a ‘blackout control’ to fully cut off vehicle lights, a factory snorkel and steel bumper with antenna, troop seats, a heavy duty power supply for onboard electrics, the ability to support a winch, and an electronic rear locking differential.

Despite these upgrades, the specifications listed on Kia’s special vehicle website have the Tasman continuing to be powered by the same 2.2-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder and eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission as is available in the standard versions delivered to Australia.

If that’s not tough enough for you, the brand also showed of its Kia Medium Tactical Vehicle (KMTV) which is a truck-based military platform equipped with a 6.8-litre diesel engine capable of driving on up to 60-degree slopes, supporting up to one meter of wading depth. it features electromagnetic protection, and can optionally be bulletproof all while transporting 25 troops or 10 tonnes of cargo.

Kia has had a hand in building military vehicles since the 1970s and according to Korean media currently deploys vehicles to over 20 countries worldwide.

The Kia Tasman is off to a slow start in Australia, having amassed 2365 units until the end of September. It is already ahead of the KGM (formerly SsangYong) Musso, and GWM Cannon Alpha, but remains behind mainstream players, even ones rapidly dropping in popularity like the Nissan Navara. 

Perhaps more worrying for the brand is the stratospheric success of the BYD Shark 6, which has managed 14,111 registrations, already capturing 8.7 per cent of the highly competitive 4x4 ute segment.

Kia will need to at least double its monthly sales to get close to its lofty goal of 20,000 units a year by the end of 2026.