Latest news with #TasmanSea
Al Bawaba
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
Kia Tasman Blazes New Trail for Pickup Truck Segment with Exceptional Off-Road Ability
The Kia Tasman, the brand's first pickup truck, has been designed from the ground up to eschew the accepted compromises of conventional pickups, seamlessly transitioning between on- and off-road driving while providing customers with a practical, highly versatile package engineered to meet their diverse Tasman is built on a brand-new pickup platform designed to offer confident off-road performance, outstanding load-carrying capacity and exceptional durability. Its reinforced body-on-frame structure not only delivers best-in-class strength - for payloads up to 1,151kg and towing capacity up to 3,500kg - but provides the foundation for the Tasman's unparalleled go-anywhere for anythingOptimized for rough terrain, the Tasman boasts a ground clearance of up to 252mm (X-Pro model) with approach, departure and ramp-over angles of up to 32.2, 26.2 and 25.8 degrees respectively. The front suspension adopts a high-mount double-wishbone setup for better corrosion resistance and ground clearance, while the rear suspension uses a rigid axle with leaf springs, offering SUV-like comfort when unladen and excellent load-bearing support when shock absorbers utilize frequency-sensitive valves and urethane bump stops to optimize ride quality over varied surfaces. Model-specific tires further enhance ability, with HT (Highway Terrain) tires ensuring smooth on-road driving for the base trim, and larger-diameter AT (All-Terrain) tires enabling the off-road focused X-Pro model to overcome even more rugged powertrains and exhaust components are positioned above the frame to avoid damage during off-road excursions, while the air intake is also located 950mm above the ground. Located inside the front fender, facing rearward, its design helps to prevent water ingress during fording, allowing the Tasman to wade through depths of up to 800mm at speeds of up to 7km/ to endureWith the physical attributes to take on any terrain, the Tasman also delivers the engineering to match, with both the X-Line and the X-Pro equipped with four-wheel-drive (4WD) as standard. The 4WD system is paired with advanced off-road technologies, making it the most off-road-capable vehicle Kia has ever Two-Speed Active Transfer Case (ATC) offers four selectable drive modes - 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (high-range 4WD), 4L (low-range 4WD), and 4A (automatic all-wheel drive) to adapt to various terrain and driving scenarios. An Electronic Locking Differential (e-LD) ensures even distribution of torque across both rear wheels, aiding traction on uneven or slippery drive modes make use of an optimized 4WD drive logic (designed newly for Tasman) to ensure optimal torque distribution and superior traction by fine-tuning throttle response, power distribution and traction control. For the Middle East and Africa, the Tasman also includes a dedicated 'Desert' mode, specially calibrated to handle sand dunes with ease, as well as gaining enhanced cooling performance in the form of a water-cooled oil cooler. Additionally, X-Trek Mode provides low-speed off-road cruise control (under 10km/h) allowing the Tasman to navigate rough terrain without throttle input, allowing the driver to focus solely on off-road-oriented technologies, support confident driving, including a Ground View Monitor that displays underbody terrain through the infotainment screen, and an Off-Road Page showing real-time data on the engine, transmission, and cooling with PurposeThe Kia Tasman will be offered in Korea with a 2.5-liter petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Developing 281PS and 421Nm of torque, the Tasman can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 185km/ the Australian market, the pickup will feature a 2.2-liter diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Producing 210PS and 441Nm of torque, the engine can propel the Tasman from 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds, while top speed remains other regions, such as the Middle East and Africa, customers can choose between the 2.5-liter turbo petrol engine equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine with a choice of an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission (depending on market).To support the pickup's 3,500kg towing capacity, the Tasman features enhanced cooling systems with an enlarged radiator and a high-capacity fan, as well as an advanced air-cooled transmission oil cooler. In the Middle East and Africa, an additional water-cooled system is equipped to cover low-speed towing conditions in the sandy areas.A dedicated Tow Mode on the automatic transmission adjusts gear changes to balance ride comfort, efficiency and towing performance, while additional towing features include Kia's first Trailer Brake Controller and Trailer Stability Assist, which minimize trailer sway for safer state-of-the-art drivetrain technology was tested and proven in numerous locations, including the snowy tundra of Sweden, scorching deserts in the Australian outback and the Al Qudra desert in the UAE, and steep inclines in the US and to moveThe Tasman doesn't just enable passengers to go anywhere, but to bring whatever they need with them too, thanks to a bed engineered for strength, versatility and storage 1,573mm long, 1,600mm wide, and 543mm deep, the bed offers a class-leading 1,212 liters of cargo volume (VDA standard) .. With a 1,194mm width between the wheel arches, it also accommodates standard-size pallets in global markets. The Tasman supports up to 1,151kg as a total payload, including the cabin features include divider slots for wooden partitions to better organize cargo, tie-down hooks and cargo rails with cleats, a bed liner for surface protection, side-mounted lighting and a 220V inverter for versatile power has additionally developed a line of genuine accessories to enhance user experience while complimenting the Tasman's rugged styling, including single and double-decker canopies, sports bars, bed covers, sliding trays and side steps.A New DimensionInside, occupants benefit from best-in-class second-row legroom, headroom, and shoulder room, with slimmer front and rear seatbacks taking full advantage of the 2,214mm-long cabin. Second-row seats are also equipped with Kia's segment-first sliding-linked reclining function, allowing users to comfortably recline - an uncommon feature in mid-size greater refinement is delivered by the laminated acoustic glass on the windshield and front windows, along with generous sound-absorbing materials throughout the body. Optimized airflow channels and sealing strips minimize road and wind noise from entering the highlights include a Panoramic Wide Display - which brings together a 12.3-inch cluster display, a 5-inch segment display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system display - powered by Kia's latest Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) interface and paired with a Harman Kardon premium sound system. A folding Console Table offers usable flexibility, while further practicality is provided by a 33-liter under-seat storage compartment beneath the rear seat cushions, offering ample space for personal items and tools.A Wide-Open Hinge allows the rear doors to open at up to 80 degrees, making it easier to load cargo or enter and exit the vehicle.'One more round'The Kia Tasman was subject to a rigorous and extensive testing and development process, which was showcased through the brand's 'One More Round' campaign. This series followed the pickup as it underwent 1,777 specific tests conducted over more than 18,000 cycles of evaluation. These tests took place across a range of environments and covered everything from off-road ability to wading, all-terrain durability to towing, and on-track performance to ride and handling.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Defence Minister Richard Marles can't answer important China question four months on from unprecedented 'show of force' in Australia's backyard
Anthony Albanese 's right-hand man has declined to say whether China poses a military threat to Australia - just days after the Prime Minister also dodged the same question. Defence Minister Richard Marles was quizzed on the threat China poses in the Indo-Pacific at Newscorp's 'Defending Australia' summit on Monday. 'In conventional terms, unquestionably, (China) is at the heart of the complex strategic circumstances that we face,' the Deputy Prime Minister said. However, Marles stopped short of naming China as a military threat, instead saying it was not providing reassurance to other countries around its intentions regarding its biggest military expansion since the Second World War. '(China) is engaging in a military build-up of that scale... without strategic reassurance.' 'Every country has a right to properly invest in its own defences, but what's really important is that you provide strategic reassurance to your neighbours and to the world about what that's about, as we have done with AUKUS,' he added. The Prime Minister was similarly guarded last week when asked at the National Press Club in Canberra if China was a threat. 'I think that our engagement with the region and the world needs to be diplomatic, needs to be mature and needs to avoid the, you know, attempts to simplify what are a complex set of relationships,' he said. This is despite the Chinese navy conducting live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea in February, without giving prior notification to the Australian government. The alert was first picked up on the 121.5 MHz emergency radio channel by a Virgin Australia pilot, later prompting 49 commercial flights to reroute. The naval fleet of four vessels, including a cruiser, a frigate, a supply tanker and possibly a submarine, then circumnavigated Australia's coastline in an unprecedented move that most defence analysts interpreted as a show of force. It comes after Albanese was last week urged to boost Australia's defence spending or risk being stranded in 'no-man's-land' with a 'paper IDF'. A report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute praised the Labor government's commitment to long-term defence projects, such as the AUKUS submarine deal, but warned it was not doing nearly enough in the immediate future. 'That slow pace risks leaving the ADF ill-prepared for current threats and unable to keep pace with future challenges, creating a 'no-man's-land' of preparedness,' the report's author and former Home Affairs deputy secretary Marc Ablong wrote. 'The timelines for major acquisitions, especially the nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, extend well into the next decade and beyond. 'While those future capabilities are strategically important, they offer little immediate enhancement, thus creating a 'paper ADF' that lacks readiness for near-term conflict scenarios.' US President Donald Trump has called on Australia to boost its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP - up from the current rate of around 2.3 per cent. The US administration has also launched a 30-day review of the $368 billion AUKUS submarine deal. The pact between Australia, the US, and the UK is aimed at countering China's expanding presence in the Indo-Pacific. But the Pentagon review will assess whether the deal meets Trump's 'America First' objectives. Albanese is expected to meet Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada later this week.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
New Zealand to trial visa waiver for Chinese visitors from Australia
China was once New Zealand's second-largest source of international visitors, contributing more than $1.7 billion to the economy in 2019. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Airport Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has announced that New Zealand will begin trialing a visa waiver for Chinese nationals arriving from Australia in November. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen economic ties with China and revitalise New Zealand's tourism sector. Stanford made the announcement on Sunday as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon prepared to visit Shanghai and Beijing on a whirlwind trip from 18-21 June . Under the new policy, Chinese passport holders with valid Australian visas - whether for tourism, work, study or family - would be allowed to visit New Zealand for up to three months without needing a separate visa. The 12-month trial has been designed to streamline travel across the Tasman Sea and attract more visitors from one of New Zealand's most valuable international tourism markets. "Our immigration settings play an important role in brightening our country's economic future," Stanford said. "More than 240,000 Chinese visitor visas were granted in 2024, and we want those numbers to grow." Immigration Minister Erica Stanford Photo: Samuel Rillstone / RNZ China was once New Zealand's second-largest source of international visitors, contributing more than $1.7 billion to the economy in 2019. While that figure declined during the pandemic, Chinese travellers remained a vital part of the country's tourism recovery . Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston described the changes as a win for regional economies and local businesses. "China is one of New Zealand's most important tourism markets, and more international visitors mean more bookings in our restaurants, more people visiting our regions and attractions, more jobs being created across the country and an overall stronger economy," she said. "In the year ended March 2025, visitors from China contributed $1.24 billion to New Zealand's economy, but there's still more work to do to grow these numbers and drive further economic growth throughout the country." Alongside the visa waiver trial, Immigration New Zealand was expected to introduce a series of additional measures aimed at supporting Chinese travellers and tour operators. The changes included a dedicated contact centre number and support in China for Chinese "Approved Destination Status" travel agents, the addition of Simplified Chinese content to the official immigration website and the removal of the requirement for certified translations on visitor visa documents, a step expected to lower application costs and streamline processing. The new settings complemented the existing five-year multiple-entry Visitor Visa and a current average visa processing time of just five working days for applicants from China.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Australian firm makes bid to buy Tourism Holdings, values company at over $500m
The offer of $2.30 per share to acquire all shares valued THL at $508.5 million. Photo: Unsplash / Lawton Cook Campervan company Tourism Holdings (THL) has received an acquisition offer from across the Tasman, valuing the company at more than half-a-billion dollars. The non-binding, unsolicited offer was from a consortium of Australian private equity firm BGH Capital, THL executive director Luke Trouchet and his brother Karl. The Trouchet brothers were involved with Australian campervan firm Apollo Tourism & Leisure, which merged with THL in 2022 . The offer of $2.30 per share to acquire all shares valued THL at $508.5 million, and THL said the offer on the table was either by way of a scheme of arrangement or via the Takeovers Code. THL's share price closed at $1.46 on Friday and was down 53 cents so far this year. It was also revealed that BGH had acquired just under 20 percent of THL's shares on issue. The proposal came amid a challenging period for THL - in February, the company revealed a half-year result which saw its after-tax profit fall 36 percent to $25.3m . In response to the offer, THL said it was "very aware" of its recent performance. "[The performance] has been largely influenced by factors beyond the company's control, such as the impact of poor consumer confidence on the demand for recreational vehicles, and recent geopolitical and tariff developments impacting travel sentiment," it said. THL said given Luke Trouchet's involvement in the consortium with BGH, he had taken a leave of absence from his executive role with THL. It said the offer was subject to certain conditions, including due diligence, finalisation of debt arrangements, and BGH receiving final approval from its in-house review committee. THL said shareholders did not need to take any action in relation to the offer, and the board would update the market about developments. "The board will act in what it considers to be the best interests of the company and its shareholders." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Weather: Orange rain warnings, strong winds, thunderstorms forecast as winter blast arrives
The country is about to be "plunged into winter" with snow to sea level possible in Canterbury and Otago by the weekend, MetService says. A long list of of rain and wind warnings and watches are in place as a winter blast is set to converge on both islands. It's coming from across the Tasman Sea and bringing heavy rain, gale-force winds, and potential snow . Today's rain radar map Photo: Screenshot / MetService The South Island's orange-level rain warnings cover the Tasman District, west of Motueka, from 6am on Wednesday; and Marlborough, northwest of the Richmond Range, and Nelson, east of the city, from 9am. Orange warnings for the North Island kick in for Taranaki Maunga from 7am; Northern Taihape and the southern parts of Taupō and Taumarunui from 10am; the Tararua Range from 11am. Most of these places can expect up to 150mm of rain with peak intensities of 20-30mm per hour, though the upper slopes of Taranaki Maunga could see heavier rain of up to 220mm. A further orange heavy rain warning is in place for Bay of Plenty, east of Whakatāne, and inland Gisborne/Tai Rāwhiti from 8pm on Wednesday into Thursday morning. Heavy rain watches are in place for Fiordland, north of Breaksea Sound, overnight; and Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast and Wellington from Wednesday morning. Similar watches are in effect from Wednesday afternoon for Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island; Buller and Grey Districts south of Karamea; and Westland District, north of Fox Glacier. There's a long list of weather warnings and watches covering most of the country for the next few days. Photo: Screenshot / MetService MetService meteorologist Heather Keats described the list of warnings and watches as "huge" as the system begins to affect the country. She said "significant" wind and rain watches were in place, with some areas under orange rain warnings. "There's also thunderstorms again tied up in this system. So as the fronts travel across, they're going to possibly bring more downpours and we're expecting them to spark up from this afternoon... "We're talking again from about Westland all the way up the west of the entire North Island and as far east as Bay of Plenty." They could deliver up to 40mm of rain in an hour, Keats said, and a potential for flooding. "That warm northerly system meets a very biting southerly and that's when the snow kicks off from about midnight tonight." Canterbury, excluding Banks Peninsula, was under a heavy snow watch, with snow expected to fall above 300m, Keats said. There was the potential for snow at sea level for Otago and Canterbury from overnight on Friday. "So Christchurch, Dunedin you could be seeing some snow for winter as early as Friday night, Saturday. "It does feel like we're going to be plunged into winter because this biting southerly is for the entire country." It meant temperatures would be much colder than usual for this time of year, she said. Strong winds were expected for Wellington, Taranaki, Auckland and Northland. It might make conditions difficult for commuters in major cities, such as Auckland, Keats said. It was unlikely the rain warnings would be upgraded to red although it paid to keep an eye on the rain radar, she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
