April 23, 2024
— Kia has revealed an Australia–inspired camouflage wrap for the Kia Tasman, the brand’s highly
anticipated new pickup truck. Kia names its first-ever
pickup model after the rugged beauty and pioneering spirit of Tasmania, the
island at the southernmost tip of Australia.
Developed in collaboration with renowned artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop hailing from Australia and New Zealand, the unique wrap – themed around ‘The Path Never
Taken’ – underscores the Tasman’s
adventurous spirit.
Influenced by the untamed beauty of Australia’s diverse landscapes, the
unique graphics visualize a journey of inspiration encountered while driving
along the coast and across the outback. The exterior wrap’s eye-catching design
draws on Boyd-Dunlop’s adventures, hitching rides in the back of pickup trucks
across Australia.
“Our Tasman pickup truck embodies Kia’s
commitment to design and innovation, as well as its spirit of adventure. Artist
Richard Boyd-Dunlop crafted an exclusive camouflage design, with the support of
the Kia design team, that depicts a journey and reflects an essence of
adventure that is unique to the Tasman,” commented Karim Habib, Executive Vice
President and Head of Kia Global Design.
The concept of ‘The Path Never Taken’ embodies
the adventurous spirit of the Kia Tasman, which will inspire customers to
embark on journeys filled with discovery and adventure in a vehicle that prioritizes
reliability and performance. Through this theme, the Kia Tasman will lead
people towards unknown and beautiful landscapes.
“This design resonates as
it evokes my own personal experiences travelling across Australia and the
encounters that I had,”
said Boyd-Dunlop. “These experiences are influential to my work, and the Tasman enabled me
to create a continuation of this, depicting the connection, joy, and sheer sense
of adventure that is inherent to Australian culture.”
Known for his unique artistic style and ability to blend various media
to create visually bold and powerful collaborations, Boyd-Dunlop captures
elements of land and sea with his exclusive design for the Kia Tasman
camouflage wrap. The finish combines the fiery hues of the outback with
commanding blues that pay homage to Australia’s influential surf culture.
Scheduled to make its debut in
2025, the Tasman marks Kia’s inaugural entry into the
C-segment pickup truck arena. The launch strategy will be phased globally, including
key markets such as Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. In addition to effortlessly fulfilling the role of a work-orientated
pickup, the Tasman is designed to meet customers’ diverse personal needs.
Suitable for a demanding 24/7 lifestyle, Kia’s versatile truck will support even the most extreme
leisure activities.
Kia has produced a short video showcasing the intricate details and design
inspiration behind the Tasman’s camouflage concept in celebration of the
pick-up truck’s camouflage design unveiling.
