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The timeline for a ute from Kia to challenge Australian market leaders like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Mitsubishi Triton has expanded and contracted over recent years. In fact, at one point the Korean maker was indicating the program may not go ahead, at all.
But images of what appears to be a pre-production prototype, based on the brand’s full-size, body-on-frame, seven-seat Mohave SUV have now surfaced on the Kia_Club_Official Instagram page.
So, with a formal announcement looking likely sooner rather than later, here’s the rundown on everything we know so far about the soon-to-arrive, and much-anticipated pick-up.
News of a Kia ute development program broke in late 2017, with Kia Australia CEO, Damien Meredith telling local media, including CarsGuide, that a ute line-up would be added to the company’s range in 2021.
And in the five years since that fateful press conference, projected timing has gradually stretched, with 100 per cent electric light commercials from Kia and sister brand Hyundai entering the frame.
During an investor seminar earlier this year, Kia’s Global President, Ho-sung Song announced the company will increase its previous battery electric vehicle roll out from 11 EVs by 2027, to 14, including a pair of new all-electric pick-ups.
At the same time, reports out of South Korea suggested a cheaper, diesel-powered mid-size truck was being engineered for ‘Emerging Markets’.
When asked if a two-pronged EV and ICE ute strategy is likely, Kia Motors Australia Product Planning Manager, Roland Rivero, previously told CarsGuide, “We’re talking both,” adding, “For Mr Song to mention it, we’re not far away.”
With prototypes now racking up kilometres in the wild it’s fair to expect display of at least a concept version of the new ute in the first half of 2023.
The Mohave SUV is powered by the Hyundai Group’s 3.0-litre CRDi 24-valve turbo-diesel V6 (designated ‘S’) featuring an iron block and alloy heads, and producing 189kW at 3800rpm and 560Nm from 1500-3000rpm.
Competitive numbers relative to the Ford Ranger’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel (184kW/600Nm) and the Toyota HiLux’s turbo-diesel four-cylinder (150kW/500Nm).
Boasting an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system fed by an eight-speed (torque-converter) auto transmission, this powertrain would be a natural fit for the ute.
A full ladder-frame chassis underpins the Mohave, forming the ideal basis for the Kia ute, with Damien Meredith on the record with his desire for dual-cab and single-cab variants.
The Mohave features a double-wishbone front suspension and five-link rear set-up, although (as you’d expect) images of the prototype ute clearly show a live rear axle. It’s not clear whether it uses coil or leaf springs, however.
The prototype ute shots show not only a Kia badge peaking out from the camouflage wrap, but a grille and headlight design virtually identical to the Mohave SUV.
Horizontal four-spot LED headlights sit between vertical LED running lights spread across the front of the car.
The rear of the Mohave reflects a similar vertical bars lighting treatment, although time will tell if the ute adopts this as well.
Damien Meredith has previously indicated to CarsGuide that the ute might sell well in high-spec guise, given a high proportion of Australian dual-cab ute buyers who choose higher end models.
For reference, the popular six-speed auto, 4x4, HiLux SR5 dual-cab lists at $61,930 before on-road costs, and the 10-speed auto 4x4, Ford Ranger XLT V6 dual-cab sits at $61,190.
Again, Damien Meredith has been specific in terms of projected sales, previously telling us he would be targeting around 10 per cent of the total ute market (210,000 sales approx), or around 21,000 sales annually.
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