What If Hyundai Had a Diesel Ute Like Kia's Tasman?

Kia and Hyundai have long been recognized for their sibling rivalry within the Hyundai Motor Group, with nearly every new car from one brand having an equivalent from the other. However, one notable exception to this trend is the Kia Tasman ute – a robust, diesel-powered workhorse that stands apart from Hyundai’s current line-up. But what if Hyundai decided to borrow a page from its sibling’s playbook? What if there was a Hyundai-badged version of the Tasman ute?

A Hyundai Ute: The Possibility

At present, Hyundai is known to be working on its first-ever dual-cab ute, but it’s going to be electric, riding on car-derived underpinnings instead of the traditional, heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis. While this marks a departure from the diesel-powered, ladder-frame chassis of the Kia Tasman, there’s still room for speculation.

Imagine a Hyundai version of the Kia Tasman, using the same durable chassis and powerful diesel engine but with a different design language. There’s no official confirmation that such a vehicle is in the works, but for the sake of this article, we can explore the possibility.

The Shared Platform Concept

Hyundai and Kia are known for sharing engines, underpinnings, and technologies in order to cut costs across the board. While both brands tend to follow distinct design philosophies, they’ve also shared body panels and structural elements in the past, particularly with vehicles aimed at similar market segments.

So, why not bring that concept to the ute market? A Hyundai ute based on the Kia Tasman could share the doors and body structure while sporting unique front and rear-end designs to differentiate the two. This approach would keep costs down while allowing Hyundai to appeal to a broader range of buyers.

Design Inspirations: What Would a Hyundai Tasman Look Like?

If Hyundai were to develop its own version of the Tasman ute, here’s how it might look based on the illustrations created by Pratyush Rout for Drive.

• Front Design: Drawing from the design cues of Hyundai’s Santa Cruz (a Tucson-based light-duty ute), the new Hyundai ute could feature split headlights and a boxy grille for a more rugged, modern look. This would provide a distinct identity compared to the Kia’s design while still maintaining a recognizable family feel.
• Body and Chassis: The Tasman’s robust 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine and heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis would likely carry over, providing the same one-tonne payload capacity and 3500kg towing capacity. This would ensure that the Hyundai ute maintains the durability and capability that utes are known for.
• Rear Design: A full-width tail-light bar could be added, incorporating Tucson-inspired lighting signatures to further distinguish the Hyundai version while maintaining a modern and sleek appearance.
• Name: A nod to Australia's heritage could see the Hyundai ute named ‘Kimberley’, drawing inspiration from the locally-built Austin Kimberley from the 1970s, which was twinned with the Austin Tasman. The Kimberley name would be a fitting choice, with ties to the Kimberley region of Western Australia, just as the Kia Tasman is named after the body of water between Australia and New Zealand.

Hyundai’s Future Ute: Electric or Diesel?

Hyundai Australia has made it clear that the company is exploring the possibility of an electric ute, not a diesel-powered one. John Kett, Hyundai Australia’s chief operating officer, mentioned in a statement that Hyundai is looking into electrified utes for the future, but that a diesel option isn’t currently part of the plan.

While diesel utes make up a significant portion of sales for other brands, Hyundai seems to be focusing on electric vehicle (EV) technology. With the growing demand for sustainable and efficient vehicles, it’s understandable why Hyundai would be prioritizing electric utes over traditional diesel-powered options.

Kett explained that Hyundai’s future vehicle portfolio will be focused on balancing EVs, hybrids, and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, but the electric ute is where the brand sees its future.

Could the Hyundai Ute be a Game Changer?

While the idea of a diesel-powered Hyundai ute based on the Kia Tasman remains hypothetical for now, it certainly sparks curiosity. A workhorse vehicle with a tough, reliable design combined with Hyundai’s reputation for offering quality vehicles could have a strong presence in the market.

However, given the shift towards electrification and the emphasis on EVs, Hyundai’s ultimate move may well be an electric dual-cab ute that can rival the traditional diesel-powered options. But for now, the idea of a Tasman-based Hyundai ute serves as an intriguing possibility for those in need of a practical and affordable work vehicle with Hyundai’s stamp of innovation.

Conclusion

While we’re still in the realm of speculation, the possibility of a Hyundai version of the Kia Tasman ute opens up exciting possibilities for the brand’s presence in the ute market. Whether Hyundai sticks to its electrification strategy or decides to tap into the diesel ute market with its own twist remains to be seen. In any case, the future of utes in Australia is bound to be interesting, especially as electrification continues to reshape the automotive landscape.

Credit: Drive.com.au