The impending arrival of the Kia Tasman underscores a pivotal turning point in the automotive realm, signaling the waning relevance of diesel-powered models in the face of advancing hybrid technology.
Despite positive sentiment in Australia, dwindling global appeal of diesel fails to justify substantial investments in the research and development of new diesel engines by automotive manufacturers. Meanwhile, the current cost and limitations of Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) technology pose challenges for widespread adoption in commercial applications, while Hydrogen tech is only just coming into view on the horizon.
Enter the Kia Tasman. Launching with a sensible 2.2L turbo-diesel, Kia has already confirmed that electric and GT halo models to follow. With expectations that at least one of the electric options will be the first non-Chinese model to enter the Australian market, we take a look at why you will love a hybrid ute.
- Instant Towing Torque: Electric motors deliver instant torque, making them ideal for getting up-to-speed when towing heavy loads, before allowing the diesel engine to takeover.
- Hybrid Power Boost: The combination of electric and diesel power can provide a temporary boost when accelerating or towing heavy loads. This additional power can improve towing capacity and help maintain speed on inclines.
- Campsite Power: With Kia’s V2L system, there’s no need for an expensive and bulky auxiliary battery system with only a couple of hundred Ah when you can run your fridge and lights off the 10-20kWh battery system built directly into your vehicle!
- Regenerative Braking: Hybrid utes utilise regenerative braking technology, which converts kinetic energy during braking into electric energy to recharge the battery. This not only improves fuel efficiency but also reduces wear and tear on the braking system.
- Unbeatable Range: Hybrids, particularly plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), combine the stop-start efficiency of electric motors with the highway-cruising efficiency of a diesel engine to achieve truly impressive range. We expect a PHEV Tasman will be able to travel over 1,000km on just one tank and charge!
- Regulatory Compliance: Governments worldwide are enforcing stricter emissions regulations and penalising the purchase of bigger engines, while cities are implementing “low emission zones”. PHEVs mean you can meet these regulations and keep your diesel.
