WeeklySA_AdminINTOXICATING: Kia opens a bold new chapter as it debuts into the small truck market marking a significant product expansion in their SA history
By Ali Mphaki
Every car manufacturer worth its salt these days is on a drive to expand their range of offerings and to venture into the bakkie segment of the market.
This somehow conjures up images of one erstwhile local cable network TV advert where a grey bearded old man proudly shouts to his neighbor… nathi sinayo! (isiZulu for we got it) – a proud confirmation he was now owner of an outside dish and connected to watch his favourite shows, or something to that effect.
Nathi sinayo! is what South Korean manufacturer Kia is proudly announcing to the local car crazy public as it debuts into a segment largely considered “the heart’’ of the South African car market.
Granted such brave adventures have not always yielded the desired outcomes, hits and misses if you like, the Mercedes-Benz bakkie, for one, easily coming to mind.
Kia has long been teasing about their plans to launch their own double-bakkie down here in Mzansi.
It seems Kia have done their homework entering the fierce bakkie segment boldly with three models the LX 4×2 from R679 995 and the SX 4×4 from R879 995 and the flagship X Pro 4×4 at R999 995.
All three models are also available in Colour Coded derivatives, which may set you back at R5 000 more with these offered with wheel arches painted in body colour.
The newcomer is called Tasman – a name likely to resonate easily with the locals.
Most of the AI (Alcoholic Intelligence) crowd will be privy of the more popular Tasman in our midst, known as Oom Tas, short for Oom Tasheimer or affectionately Tassies, that uncle always readily available to quench our patched throats in pubs, taverns, shebeens, and bottle stores.
Whilst revered as that local inexpensive red wine produced by Stellenbosch Farmers Winery, now part of Distell, it is obvious Kia with their Tasman is not a budget-friendly option and is poised as a premium offering, invariably taking head-on legendary brands like Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Isuzu D-Max
Obvious to the eye is how the Tasman stands out from the crowd with its looks which easily blends traditional durability with a modern, design-led and technology-rich approach.
Measuring 5, 410mm in length, I,999 mm in width and riding on a 3,270 mm wheelbase, it makes an immediate impression with its physical appearance.
With ground clearance of up to 242mm and a wading depth of 800mm, the Tasman seem well-poised to handle challenging terrain and water crossings while giving that master-of-all-you-survey ride.
The Tasman is no paper Tiger either, coming in with a gross vehicle mass of 3,250 kg and a combined mass of 6,250kg, enabling the capacity of handling substantial loads.
Payload capacity exceeds one ton and it has a braked towing capacity of 3, 500 kg.
Power is delivered through a 2.2-litre engine which delivers 154 kW of power and 440Nm of torque in an 8-speed automatic box.
A rear electronic differential lock further enhances traction by distributing torque where it is needed most, to help the vehicle maintain momentum in challenging off-road conditions.
It could be that just as the exterior breaks the mould, the interior offers striking luxury with an abundance of tech features in a spacious cabin.
For your listening pleasure in the top-of-the range 4×4 you have the Harman Kardon sound system, all these adding up to making a bakkie most likely to intoxicate the market like its bubbly namesake.
It’s a commendable bold initiative.
All models are available with a 6-year/90 00km service plan and a 5-year/Unlimited km roadside assistance plan.
