Positive response to the off-road Tasman Weekender concept could prompt Kia to get it into showrooms “a little bit faster, a little bit earlier,” a top executive has revealed.

The off-road-ready Kia Tasman Weekender concept could be accelerated into production amid criticism of the standard dual-cab, which the boss of the South Korean giant in Australia has dismissed as ‘angst’.

The Weekender was revealed in April with tougher styling than the regular Tasman, as well as, crucially, a revised front fascia with a slimmer upper grille and chunkier lower bumper.

It was pitched on debut as strictly a design study, but it appears more positive reception to the show car than the real deal could hurry its new face into showrooms.

“For the Weekender, actually, from the design part, they think a

See Full Page