THE Kia brand is mostly associated with a wide variety of sedans and sport utility vehicles, but few are aware it has an array of light commercial vehicles ideal for small and medium enterprises.
The South Korean brand has been around for more than 80 years, starting as bicycle manufacturers in 1944.
Today Kia produces more than 1.4 million vehicles annually at 14 manufacturing and assembly plants across the globe. Their dealer network operates in 172 countries (with Namibia being one) with more than 3 000 distributors.
The brand has become synonymous with luxury and affordability, but few know about the workhorse in the stable: the Kia K2700 2.7 Diesel tipper.
The 2.7L Diesel 4-cylinder engine is mounted under the cab, which allows for a bigger flat load box to carry that oversized load. To ease loading, the K2700 comes standard with drop sides; for the small building or gardening contractor, a tipper box is also standard.
Although the vehicle’s loading capacity is 1.6 tonnes, the tipper box’s hydraulics can handle a load of a tonne.
The load box or cargo space was designed for oversized loads, measuring 2 810 mm long and 1 630mm wide, while the railed truck bed has a height of 733mm for easy access when loading.
The tipper control is remotely operated via cable control, which allows the operator to stand outside the vehicle while off-loading.
This allows for better control in confined spaces, as well as safety for the operations. Once done, the cable can be stowed away behind the seats.
Hans Lito from Kia Namibia says the vehicle’s abilities and capabilities suit any small business operators, with added perks such as affordability, low fuel economy and ease of operation.
“This K2700 is the new kid on the block, and is more or less the same as the drop side, only coming with the tipper function with the same diesel engine,” Lito says.
It becomes even clearer what makes the K2700 a sought after vehicle once you dive into the technical and mechanical specifications.
The 4-cylinder engine is capable of delivering 62kW of power at 4150rpm and 16Nm of torque to move any load the vehicle is capable of handling.
The five-speed manual gearbox helps to get optimum power delivery while maintaining good fuel economy.
According to the vehicle’s spec sheet, the K2700 is capable of 10.7L/100km. With a tank capacity of 60L, the vehicle can reach up to 560km on a tank under normal driving conditions. Its top speed is 120km/h.
The cabin, which can seat three, is fitted with cup holders, electric windows, a remote central locking system and the steering wheel can be adjusted to provide comfort to the driver.
The vehicle’s workhorse ability to cross rugged and uneven terrain expected on building sites is enhanced with 195 R14-sized tires. This helps with carrying the weight it was designed for.
The rear gate chain is covered with a wraparound to ensure a longer lifespan and prevent corrosion. Another feature is the front open panel, allowing the operator to check fluids and refill if necessary.
For peace of mind, the K2700 comes with a three-year/60 000km service plan with 10 000km intervals and a five-year unlimited km guarantee.
The K2700 is available in a variety of models ranging from chassis cab to workhorse tipper.
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