Ever because the design of the Kia Tasman first leaked, there have been rumours of a fast-tracked redesign to deal with the controversial front-end styling of the Koran model’s first ute.
Now photographs of what may present the ute’s facelift have appeared on an official Kia web site.
Two digital renders of a rebodied Tasman have appeared on the Kia Particular Automobiles web page spruiking navy makes use of and conversions for the polarising ute.
Each the Navy Command Car and Navy Pickup Truck (high and beneath) characteristic our bodies which are recognisably Tasman, however with much more typical designs for the grille, headlights, fenders, wheel-arch protectors, and doorways.
The 2 renders, although comparable, really sport completely different designs, most noticeably for the headlight graphics, wheel-arch extensions, and fenders. Additionally they have utterly new door designs, each with completely different rear window therapies.
Given the pictures on the web site have been on-line for no less than two days, and that no-one has taken them down as of at this time, these renders are seemingly not indicative of any future Tasman facelift.
The photographs could possibly be based mostly on unsuccessful design proposals for the Tasman submitted throughout its growth. It’s extra seemingly, although, they’re AI generated.
Apparently, the opposite navy autos proven on the web page are based mostly on the present Tasman physique and have the textual content “Illustrative functions solely” slapped on them.
It’s potential Kia is engaged on an early redesign of the ute’s adventurous front-end however, even when these renders preview what it appears like, historical past tells us it’s going to take no less than a 12 months or two earlier than a facelifted Tasman begins trundling down the manufacturing line and into showrooms.
For instance, it took three years for the AU Falcon and its New Edge styling to be reworked into the conventionally good-looking BA. Likewise, the jellybean third-generation Ford Taurus wanted 4 years earlier than it obtained a much less controversial design for the entrance, rear and inside.
Tasman gross sales have gotten off to a sluggish begin with 2499 offered since its launch, or a mean of 625 per thirty days. It did notch up its greatest gross sales end in September when 806 had been offered, putting it seventh within the mixed 4×2 and 4×4 ute section.
That’s nonetheless properly in need of the 1667 gross sales the Tasman wants to realize as a way to obtain Kia Australia’s gross sales goal of 20,000 items per 12 months.
Publicly, Kia Australia says it’s not nervous in regards to the Tasman’s gross sales because the vary up to now stays restricted to dual-cab fashions, though reductions and further gear can be found on the X-Line till the tip of October.
