Kia ute: Dealers leak detailed information about Ford Ranger, rival of Toyota HiLux

The first details about the much-anticipated dual-cabin Kia are here.

auto expert already got word on what will power the ute, when it will launch and what type of vehicle Kia is targeting, with Australian dealers announcing the upcoming model week summary This.

Here are the title details:

• Ute is internally referred to as “TK”
• Kia engineers used Australia as a test ground for the ute
• It has been compared with Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux
• Power will come from diesel engine
• It will come to Australia in 2025

Known internally as the TK, the new dual-cab will create a huge gap in the Australian brand’s lineup and potentially take Kia to the next level on the sales charts – potentially. ability to overtake Mazda in the race for second place, after market leader Toyota.

“Kia is currently developing a futuristic pickup truck with high performance and fit for purpose. Additional details will be confirmed shortly,” a Kia spokesman said when asked about the ute.

After the feeds dripped from executives, and an early prototype based on the Mohave ladder-frame SUV for the Korean market is under development. discovered in KoreaHere are our first details on what could be the brand’s most important new release.

What to expect? Read to find out.

What is it?

The Kia ute – known internally as the TK – is one of two upcoming pickups from the brand, likely what company executives call the “warrior vehicle”. strategy for emerging markets” last year. The other will be a dedicated power ute.

TK is just an internal codename at this stage, and the new ute is sure to get a proper name when it launches in the coming years.

According to the summary information from dealers about the car, Kia compared the TK with the leading competitors in the segment. Ford Ranger And Toyota Hilux to “achieve towing and tonnage goals”.

That shows Kia is working hard to ensure the TK meets the capabilities expected of a dual-cab in Australia, meaning a brake drag of 3500kg and a payload of around 1000kg depending on the variant.

It also rules out the possibility that the vehicle is a Kia-branded version of the Hyundai Santa Cruz based on the lower-priced car offered in North America.

When does Kia ute arrive in Australia?

A production version of the Kia ute will debut in 2025, five years after development begins.

According to leaked dealer information, engineers from Kia’s headquarters have flown to Australia “several times” to experience local competition and conditions, so you can expect the ute to look great. tailored to our routes.

The ute segment in Australia could be different in 2025 – Ford has confirmed Ranger plug-in hybrid will launch in Europe in 2024 and will likely launch there, while the next Toyota HiLux to launch around the same time is likely to be based on the same TNGA-F architecture as the foundation for LandCruisercapable with hybrid and all-electric options.

Also, a new one Mitsubishi Triton And NISSAN Navara are on the horizon based on common ground. Mitsubishi is also work on an electric ute sat next to Triton, although it’s unclear if this will make it to Australia.

China will also be involved, with GWM preparing to launch mountain cannon with diesel and hybrid options before the end of 2023, while an even larger version King Kong Cannon under consideration for the Australian market.

Which engine will power the Kia TK ute?

Based on the leaked information, auto expert It is possible to confirm the production version of the Kia ute will be equipped with a diesel engine, although details on capacity and number of cylinders are yet to be revealed.

However, the fact that a Kia Mohave SUV was used as the basis for the prototype could provide some clues.

In Korea, the Mohave is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 that develops 189kW and 560Nm – the latter from 1500 to 3000rpm. For reference, the 3.0-litre V6 diesel in the Ranger and Amarok develops 184kW and 600Nm.

Mohave offers all-wheel drive with electronic low-range and many of the same off-road modes as other Kia SUVs. An eight-speed automatic is standard.

Kia has certified its latest 3.0 liter diesel engine to be Euro 6 compliant, in line with emissions regulations that are likely to be introduced in Australia soon and are now in effect in other markets around the world. . Some buses are now EU6 certified in Australia.

We could see Kia offering a variety of engines to hit different price points and regional needs, with the brand’s 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder being another potential start.

A commercial version of this engine is currently in service in Hyundai Staria valve, generating 130kW/430Nm and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. In the Staria, it comes standard with all-wheel drive, but it’s unclear whether Kia will stick with that or develop a more rugged 4WD system like the Mohave’s.

How much does Kia ute pull?

As noted earlier, the mention of Ranger and HiLux being used as standard suggests Kia is looking to give the TK ute at least 3500kg of brake traction.

It is understood that Mohave already has a towing capacity of more than 3.0 tons, so there is already a solid base there.

All of the Kia ute’s main competitors offer 3.5-ton brake traction, including the Ranger, HiLux, D-Max, BT-50, Amarok and Navara.

Currently, the car in Kia’s domestic product line with the largest towing capacity is Sorento SUV, can haul up to 2000kg with the trailer with brakes.

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THAN: Kia ute back track with Mohave . links
THAN: Kia ute test drive in Korea