Ever since the design of the Kia Tasman first leaked, there have been rumours of a fast-tracked redesign to address the controversial front-end styling of the Koran brand’s first ute.
Now images of what might show the ute’s facelift have appeared on an official Kia website.
Two digital renders of a rebodied Tasman have appeared on the Kia Special Vehicles page spruiking military uses and conversions for the polarising ute.
Both the Military Command Vehicle and Military Pickup Truck (top and below) feature bodies that are recognisably Tasman, but with far more conventional designs for the grille, headlights, fenders, wheel-arch protectors, and doors.
The two renders, though similar, actually sport different designs, most noticeably for the headlight graphics, wheel-arch extensions, and fenders. They also have completely new door designs, both with different rear window treatments.
Given the images on the website have been online for at least two days, and that no-one has taken them down as of today, these renders are likely not indicative of any future Tasman facelift.
The images could be based on unsuccessful design proposals for the Tasman submitted during its development. It’s more likely, though, they are AI generated.
Interestingly, the other military vehicles shown on the page are based on the existing Tasman body and have the text “Illustrative purposes only” slapped on them.
It’s possible Kia is working on an early redesign of the ute’s adventurous front-end but, even if these renders preview what it looks like, history tells us it will take at least a year or two before a facelifted Tasman starts trundling down the production line and into showrooms.
For example, it took three years for the AU Falcon and its New Edge styling to be transformed into the conventionally handsome BA. Likewise, the jellybean third-generation Ford Taurus needed four years before it received a less controversial design for the front, rear and interior.
Tasman sales have gotten off to a slow start with 2499 sold since its release, or an average of 625 per month. It did notch up its best sales result in September when 806 were sold, placing it seventh in the combined 4×2 and 4×4 ute segment.
That’s still well short of the 1667 sales the Tasman needs to attain in order to achieve Kia Australia’s sales target of 20,000 units per year.
Publicly, Kia Australia says it’s not worried about the Tasman’s sales as the range so far remains restricted to dual-cab models, although discounts and extra gear are available on the X-Line until the end of October.
