Utes

Kia might be preparing a fresh face for its Tasman workhorse ute.Debate about the Tasman’s styling has followed it around like a bad smell since the day it was revealed. That might be all about to change.Kia recently revealed a military-grade Tasman as part of its display at the International Aerospace & Defence Exhibition in Seoul.The show cars were the usual military fare, but Kia’s Special Vehicle division showcased several suggested uses for the military-grade Tasman on its website.The hard to access website - we had to go incognito mode to get it to load — looks just like any Kia retail page but has heavy duty Tasmans.A few images jumped out, with a 'Military Command Vehicle' and a 'Military Version Pick-up truck' showing a substantially different look to the current Tasman.These images are clearly computer generated, but so are the rest of the images on this official Kia website that all depict the current shaped Tasman.This might be a long bow, but it is also odd they would publish these images that look so obviously different.The digital renders show a new headlight design, completely new fender flares front and back and an altered grille, bonnet and front bumper.The result is tough and — dare I say — handsome ute. Kia has not confirmed to CarsGuide if these images are real or not.Kia’s global VP of Next Interior Design, Jochen Paesen, previously said people will get used to the design, which was intended to stand out from the outset.“This is really, really important for Kia, we want to make sure that we have a clear identity. It does stand out. We are new to the market. It needs to be noticed. And generally, and this is generally for design, if you want to be progressive, if you want to stand out, if you want to do something new, you will go through a process of getting people used to it,” he said.The proof is in the sales figures.Despite receiving critical acclaim for how the car actually performs on and off the road, sales of the Tasman haven’t moved the needle.Kia is currently moving about 800 Tasmans a month, which is about half of what it needs to hit its lofty targets.A new look could catapult way up the charts.

Patent imagery of what appears to be BYD’s next dual-cab ute has surfaced as part of a filing from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

Toyota could be prepping a new line of tough four-wheel drives.

The Ford Ranger Stormtrak launches into an increasingly congested plug-in hybrid ute market, but it promises to do things a little differently to the top-selling BYD Shark 6.

Australian engineering is set to shape the next-generation of GWM vehicles from the planning stage, in an effort to make them more suitable to roads outside of China.

Nissan to unveil long-awaited next-gen Navara imminently!

A limited-time offer on the Kia Tasman could be a sign the brand is trying to boost early sales of the ute to get closer to its lofty sales goal.

It seriously lacks technology in this department (very basic).Excellent, great space. A little tight in the back for adults but otherwise fine.Excellent. Drives well with no issues.No issues here. Vehicle is well serviced and very little problems.I have had one problem since I purchased it and it has run like a dream since then. It was covered under warranty, so no issues.

The new-generation Toyota HiLux is one of the most anticipated vehicle launches in the past 12 months or so and the drip feed of new information continues to flow ahead of its expected reveal at this year’s Thailand motor show.

Diesel engines are far from over, with a big new 3.0-litre unit is destined for one of Australia’s emerging range of utes and SUVs. To make its global debut in Australia sometime in the middle of next year, this internal combustion engine with no electrification assistance will arrive in an in-line four-cylinder turbo-diesel configuration that promises to be one of the most efficient of its type available anywhere in the world.