Kia is developing a brand-new ute for the Australian market that will compete with vehicles like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. We expect the body-on-frame chassis will offer both turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol engine configurations, as well as a fully electric kit.
A durable base will provide a 3.5-ton towing capacity. While we can only speculate on approach and departure angles, we can expect a proficient off-roader with a respectable payload capability varying by powertrain.
Similar to what is seen in the contemporary Sorento and Santa Fe, the base model will come with 2.2L CRDi (common rail direct injection) engine. Peak power is anticipated to be approximately 157 kW, with roughly 420 Nm of torque. The power output is respectable for the class; the most popular 4-cylinder ute, the HiLux, has a 2.8-liter engine that produces 150kW / 500nm. It will probably be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with no manual option.
The ute will also come in a full-electric powertrain option, which may be the most intriguing development. This was already announced by Kia during an official presentation earlier this year. It will reportedly have a battery capacity of roughly 123 kWh and a range of about 450 km. With a motor at each axle, the dual-motor configuration will provide results similar to those of the overseas Kia Telluride.
Customers will be relieved to learn that the Kia ute will also be available with a 2.5-liter turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, given diesel costs are now skyrocketing. The current Hyundai Sonata N Line in Australia, the Santa Cruz in America, and the Kia K5 GT abroad all have the same Smartstream T-GDi engine. The engine delivers 213kW in the local Sonata and 210kW in the Santa Cruz. However, based on our sources, the engine appears to be tweaked to roughly 206kW in the Kia ute.
The new ute will have a totally electric powertrain option, which is maybe the most intriguing development. This was already announced by Kia during an official presentation earlier this year. It will reportedly have a battery capacity of roughly 123 kWh and a range of about 450 km. With a motor at each axle, the dual-motor configuration is designed to provide a massive 800Nm of torque and around 410kW of power.
The electric Kia pickup appears to have a braked towing capability of roughly 3400kg, which is almost on par with most diesel 4×4 utes, unlike the new LDV eT60 totally electric ute. Even better, we’ve heard that it would start at roughly $90,000, which would be around $3000 less expensive than the LDV. The combustion-engine variants are expected to start at roughly $50,000.
The ute/pickup is expected to include a massive rendition of the company’s “tiger nose” front grille, practically covering the whole width of the front end. In reality, it is rather similar to what is seen on the international Kia Telluride, but more robust and upright.
Vertical door handles and headlamps situated essentially on the front wheel arches are expected. A huge bulbous bonnet and reinforced wheel arch extensions are planned to finish the appearance.
Some spy images that have circulated on social media show the high and tall headlights as well as the huge front grille that has been mentioned. Although the prototype may not be sporting black plastic wheel arch extensions, we hear that they will be fairly horizontal and straight-edged.
