SA military manufacturer pivots to Kia partnership to cover loss of iconic Toyota V8

Kia has offered the South African private military manufacturer Milkor its Tasman platform on which to build its border patrol vehicles when the Toyota Land Cruiser-based Frontier 4x4 project runs out of engines.   

Milkor has relied on Toyota’s robust Land Cruiser 79 series chassis since its inception, but Toyota’s decision to discontinue the V8 powertrain has forced SA’s premier private military contractor to seek alternatives.

The Milkor Frontier 4x4. (Photo: Milkor)

“The 79 series obviously is moving away from the 4.5 V8, moving to a 2.8 diesel,” explained Daniel du Plessis, Milkor’s marketing and communications director.

While the smaller 2.8-litre diesel engine might suffice for standard 4x4 configurations, it creates significant challenges for more advanced applications.

“In the 6x6 configuration, it makes it extremely difficult because you have an automatic gearbox now, which is very difficult to have a through shaft for the external for the third axle,” said Du Plessis.

Toyota’s V8 sunset timeline 

Toyota’s plans to discontinue the venerable 4.5-litre turbodiesel V8 engine, which has powered the Land Cruiser 70 Series for 18 years, began with the 76 Series wagon in August 2024, and will be followed by the single- and double-cab 79 Series (the Frontier base) models in August 2025.

In its place will be a 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel, already used in the Hilux and Land Cruiser Prado. This is to bring these mighty steeds in line with stricter emissions standards and changing market demands.

Despite the imminent change, Du Plessis said the current Land Cruiser-based operations were secure in the short term.

“Our engagement with Toyota directly was that we don’t need to worry about it for now,” he said. “At least for the next two years, we will most likely continue using this. But the obvious alternative is the Kia in the near future.”

Kia Tasman to the rescue 

The Kia Tasman, a rugged new pickup with a face only a devout bakkie fanatic would love, was unveiled in military trim earlier this year at Idex 2025 in Abu Dhabi and has emerged as Milkor’s chosen replacement platform. The partnership was initiated by Kia’s military division, based in South Korea.

“They approached us essentially to co-develop the system, and we proposed this platform. So, we’ll do the first prototype development of that quite soon,” said Du Plessis.

The Tasman appears well-suited to Milkor’s needs, requiring minimal modifications to serve as the basis for the Frontier.

“The Tasman essentially will be the undercarriage. There are no real upgrades needed to it. It’s actually a very rugged vehicle,” said Du Plessis. “Might be some suspension issues and components which we’ll need to change, but essentially getting a stock-standard Kia Tasman chassis with a few modifications, and then we just pop the same body on to it.

“The engine is actually quite powerful. It’s also produced by Kia themselves, so also a diesel engine.”

The powertrain in question is most likely from the long-serving Hyundai R family of 2.2-litre common rail diesel, which has been the beating heart of flagship Kias since its Korean sibling rescued it from bankruptcy in 1998.

Worthy successor? 

The Tasman, Kia’s first serious entry into the bakkie market, appears to possess the capabilities necessary for specialised applications.

The military variant features a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine in a 150kW and 441Nm of torque state of tune, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It can carry a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes and tow trailers weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.

With 252mm of ground clearance, an electronic locking differential, and the ability to ford water up to 800mm deep thanks to its snorkel, the Tasman offers impressive off-road credentials that align well with Milkor’s requirements.

What makes the Tasman particularly appealing as a long-term platform is its modular ladder-frame chassis, which Kia has designed to accommodate multiple powertrain options, and its eight to 12-year predicted lifespan. According to Roland Rivero, general manager of product planning at Kia Australia, the company is actively “studying and reviewing” both hybrid and fully electric variants of the Tasman.

As Toyota closes the chapter on its iconic V8 diesel engine, Milkor’s partnership with Kia represents an adaptive strategy to ensure the continued evolution of its specialised vehicle offerings, maintaining its capability to serve defence and security needs across Africa and beyond. 

What’s the deal with the Frontier?  

The Milkor Frontier is designed specifically for border surveillance operations, targeting law enforcement agencies, gendarmerie, and border management authorities. The vehicle features ballistic protection — capable of stopping an AK-47 armour-piercing round — while maintaining the agility required for difficult terrain.

With a range of up to 800km thanks to extended fuel tanks, the Frontier can be customised with various accessories, including weapon systems and command and control suites.

Milkor has morphed into a full-service military and defence contractor with its flagship 380 drone now reaching full production. DM