Kia Tasman takes on the formidable Al Qudra desert

You may already know that Kia is busy developing its very first pickup truck, known as the Tasman.

In the latest development, the automaker announced that the Tasman is currently undergoing its next phase of testing in the deserts of Al Qudra, United Arab Emirates.

Previously, the ladder-frame pickup truck had undergone various tests, including off-road driving in the rugged Alabama Hills, California, water wading, and on-track driving to evaluate its handling, chassis strength, and towing capabilities.

This time, a pre-production prototype of the Tasman was flown to the Al Qudra desert to ensure it can handle extreme hot weather and challenging driving conditions.

According to Kia, the pickup truck has been subjected to at least 1,777 different types of tests, with over 18,000 rounds of tests have been completed so far.

No technical details have been announced yet. However, reports indicate that the Tasman is likely to feature a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine similar to the one used in the Sorento, and could be offered in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive guises.

Additionally, the Tasman is said to boast a maximum payload of up to 998 kg and a towing capacity of nearly 3.5 tonnes.

Exactly where the Tasman will be sold is still unknown, but reports from South Korea suggest it will likely be offered in the Middle East, Africa, and Australia.

The Tasman is expected to make its global debut at the Jeddah International Motor Show in Saudi Arabia, which will take place from October 29 to November 2.