by Development of Multi-Purpose Tasman Versions
Kia is developing multi-purpose versions of the Tasman pickup, intended not only for everyday commercial work but also for military needs. Although this is not a surprise, the page showcasing these prepared vehicles is of particular interest.
AI-Generated Images
Official visualizations of military trucks, created using artificial intelligence, depict the Tasman as cleaner and more restrained compared to the production model, although it was hardly a genuine redesign.
These digital illustrations appear on the website of Kia’s special vehicles division, an independent unit for research, development, and production responsible for supplying military vehicles for the Korean army, as well as buses, light commercial vans, and trucks.
What is Presented?
Among the models based on the Tasman are a “Military Command Vehicle” against a backdrop of a dense forest and a “Military Pickup Version” depicted in a sandy desert. At first glance, both cars look familiar, but upon closer inspection, key differences from the production Tasman are visible. These include larger LED headlights, a simpler radiator grille, and a more conventional bumper.
The sides have also been cleaned up, with smoother fenders that have lost the polarizing shapes of the original. Military additions include a larger cargo bed, a protective bumper, and camouflage paint schemes corresponding to the respective environmental conditions.
Additional Offerings
Scrolling a bit further on the same page reveals nine additional visualizations of the Tasman for commercial use. These images are marked “for illustrative purposes only” but appear more consistent with the production Tasman. The offerings cover a wide range of configurations, including police, ambulance, armored, snow removal, safari, and personnel transport variants.
Accidental Redesign?
While some might hope that these cleaner images precede an early update, this is unlikely. Kia has hinted at various long-term updates throughout the Tasman’s 8-12 year life cycle, but a visual refresh is not expected anytime soon.
The truck began production in early 2025, and despite slow sales start in Australia, it is still too early in its timeline for a redesign.
Explanation for AI Use
A more plausible explanation is that the AI software used to create these military visualizations did not fully interpret the Tasman’s distinctive exterior, subtly transforming it towards the more generic proportions of a mid-size pickup.
This is a common feature of AI-generated images that has not yet disappeared, despite noticeable improvements in recent years. The bigger question, of course, is why someone at Kia used AI at all. It is unlikely the company lacks designers who could create a few visualizations without the help of a chatbot.
Prospects for the Future
Nevertheless, those hoping for a tougher and cleaner-looking Tasman may not be disappointed for long. The cool Weekender concept, featuring body-colored fenders, redesigned bumpers, and a raised ride height, is reportedly foreshadowing a more aggressive production version that could compete with the Ford Ranger Raptor.
The use of AI in official automotive industry presentations remains a rare occurrence, raising questions about its appropriateness. However, it demonstrates a growing interest in new technologies in the development process. We may see more such experiments in the future, especially for rapid concept creation, although traditional design methods are likely to remain the primary tool for serious updates.
