Like the EV9? Then you'll love the 2024 Kia Tasman! Korea's first diesel dual-cab to take futuristic styling into battle with Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger

Korea has given us our best hint yet at just what to expect from the 2024 Kia Tasman, with the brand's design chief Karim Habib telling media the diesel dual-cab will borrow from Kia's electric vehicles in the styling department.

So far we have seen the Kia EV6 and soon-to-launch EV9, but that's just the beginning, with the EV3, EV4 and EV5 en route, too.

And it's these models, rather the the brand's petrol-powered range, that will inspire the design of the Tasman – if that is the name the brand settles on.

"We design products for people to use, within the framework of our brand," he told media. "So design has to have those attributes and that automatically creates a family look."

We'll know soon enough, with the Mr Habib suggesting a "sneak peek" is coming soon.

While the design for the new ute is clearly international, much of the development inspiration is far more local. According to Kia here, the Australian team has been responsible for around "30 percent" of the ute's development, working in conjunction with Kia in Korea and in the ute's other key markets.

"I think if you took the Korean aspect of it and the rest of the world aspect of it, we're probably 30 percent of what has been occurring, so it's been significant," says Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith.

The brand also says it's looking to set a new benchmark in the space, taking the fight directly to the current heavyweights, the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

"We've said all along that if we're going to develop this vehicle, then it has to be a solid competitor for HiLux and Ranger," says Kia Australia general manager of product planning Roland Rivero.

"Look at the big-ticket (engines) that are doing the most sales. We always cut it up and dissect accordingly and look at where the big volume is.

"We're not mucking around when it comes to the ute. We want to make sure that the first attempt at a ute from our brand is one that's going to do well in our market."

A four-cylinder turbo-diesel is now the most likely powertrain for the new ute, with Kia in Australia saying it's aiming for where the volume is in the dual-cab marker, rather than a big-engined halo.