Kia has added a second bakkie to its South African range, an updated one-ton version of the familiar 1.3-ton K2700 with a new turbodiesel engine rated for 96kW at 3800rpm and 255Nm from 1500-3500rpm, mated to a new six-speed manual gearbox for smoother gear changes and lower fuel-consumption.
The drop in rated payload is because the new K2500 is only available in single rear-wheel format - but the roof of the cab has also been dished to provide an extra 20mm of headroom, while a new, body-colour bumper tidies up the front treatment.
BELLS AND WHISTLES
Kia's new entry-level hauler is available only in dropside format, but has all the features of its big boet - adjustable head restraints, battery saver, fabric upholstery, power steering and windows, heater, height-adjustable headlights, tilt-adjustable steering wheel and a full sized spare - and adds remote central locking as standard.
The K2500 will be available at all Kia dealers from mid-December 2013 at R215 995, which includes a five-year or 150 000km warranty, a three-year or 60 000km service plan and a three years' unlimited roadside assistance.