Spy photos published in a Korean car magazine reveal a mid-sized pickup truck with a double cab, which looks to be completely “ripe” for production. Marketing is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024, but it is not clear if it will reach us
In the wide variety of vehicles manufactured by the Hyundai company, which also includes Kia, an important component is conspicuously absent: vans. It is true that it manufactures the Santa Cruz (link to the article), but it is not exactly what a professional is looking for when he wants to purchase a tough work van that will also be used in his leisure time.
But this “hole” is going to be closed soon, with the expected arrival on the market of a Kia work van, which spy photos released this week reveal is already ready for production, which will probably begin Towards the end of this year, and a twin brother who will bear the Hyundai name is also expected.
The newborn, still covered in camouflage sheets
It is a medium-sized van, built on a massive ladder chassis, with a rear live axle, 4th driveX4 and a power transmission, similar to most vans of this size on the market such as Toyota’s Hilux, Isuzu’s D-Max and Mitsubishi’s Triton. It will be built on a flexible platform, which will later allow the installation of hybrid and/or electric propulsion systems.
The head of the development department at Hyundai, Albert Bierman, recently stated in an interview that the new van will be equipped in the first phase with a variety of diesel engines. One of them is the engine found in the Genesis GV80, six pistons in a column with a volume of 3.0 liters, with about 275 hp and about 60 kg. When installed in a van, the tuning of the engine will be changed to get more torque, in favor of a greater towing weight. Another option is the company’s 2.2-liter engine, with four pistons, About 200 horses and about 45 kg.
And so it looks from behind
In the same interview, Birman stated that the van is intended for marketing in areas where the demand for vans is great: North America, Southeast Asia, Australia – and the Middle East. Does this mean we will see him here, or maybe his twin brother who will carry a Hyundai emblem? still not clear.