Kia Bongo

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Kia Bongo
Manufacturer: Kia
Production period: 1980 – today
Previous model: Kia Titan
Successor: none

The Kia Bongo is a pickup truck and truck that has been produced by Kia Motors since 1980 . The first generation was offered as a panel van and minibus in Europe as the Kia Besta , the second and third generation as a flatbed (automobile) Kia K series. The model was originally based on the Mazda Bongo II, as Mazda was a cooperation partner of Kia at the time. From the 1990s, however, Kia developed its own models. Larger and heavier versions of the Bongo replaced the Kia Titan truck from 1997 .

1st generation / Kia Ceres (1980–1997)

Bongo I / Ceres
Kia Wide Bongo J2 01.jpg

Bongo I

Production period: 1980-1997
Designs: Flatbed trucks , panel vans , minibuses
Engines: Diesel engines :
2.2–2.7 liters
(48–61 kW)
Length: 3995-4455 mm
Width: 1620-1690 mm
Height: 1850-1990 mm
Wheelbase: 2155 mm
Payload: 1.0-1.2 t

The Bongo I came in 1980 as a Truck -called flatbed and van / minibus of based Mazda Bongo BA2 on the market. It was available with a payload of 1 to 1.2 tons. The only available diesel engine achieved 48 kW / 65 PS. In 1983 an all-wheel drive version called Kia Ceres was added on the domestic market . This was set higher and reached a payload of 1 ton. While the Bongo was only built until 1997, the Ceres remained in production until the Bongo Frontier 4WD replaced it in 1999.

  • In 1985, based on the Mazda Bongo SE, the Kia Besta panel van / minibus, which was also available in Europe, was introduced.

This was longer and higher than the previous same versions that have now been replaced by the model. So the Bongo was only available as a truck.

  • In 1992 this was also given a 2.7-liter diesel engine.
  • In 1996 the Kia Pregio came onto the market as a panel van / minibus which initially supplemented the Kia Besta and replaced it completely from 1999.

  • Kia Ceres

  • Kia Besta

  • Kia Pregio

2nd generation / Kia K series (1997-2004)

Bongo II / Frontier / K series
Kia K3600 II in Managua.jpg

Bongo II

Production period: 1997-2000
Designs: Pickup truck
Engines: Diesel engines :
2.7-3.0 liters
(61-69 kW)
Payload: 1.4-2.5 t

The Bongo II was developed by Kia itself based on the previous model. He replaced both the Kia Titan and from 1999 with all-wheel drive as Bongo Frontier the Kia Ceres. The model was marketed as the Kia K-series in some markets including Europe , Oceania and South America . It was powered by the J2 2.7-liter diesel engine with 61 kW / 83 hp and a 3.0-liter engine with 66 kW / 90 hp. The truck was now also available as a tipper vehicle. The payloads now ranged from 1400 to 2500 kg . In 2000 the front was facelifted and the JT 3000 cc 69 kW (94 hp) diesel engine followed in 2001. Production of the Frontier was discontinued in 2003 at the same time as the revision of the Kia Pregio.

  • Facelift

3rd generation (since 2004)

Bongo III
Kia Bongo III.jpg

Bongo III

Production period: 2004 – today
Designs: Flatbed trucks , panel vans , minibuses
Engines: Gasoline engine :
2.4 liters (117 kW)
Diesel engine :
3.0 liters
(69–98 kW)

The new generation was presented for the first time in 2004. In addition to the truck, there was now a panel van / minibus version since the Kia Pregio was discontinued in 2005. What was new was a 3.0-liter diesel engine with common rail injection and an output of 90 kW / 123 hp in addition to the previous 3.0-liter engine. This was discontinued in 2006 and the common rail engine was now also available with 69 kW / 94 PS, while the other variant increased to 93 kW / 126 PS. Since 2009, a 2.4-liter LPIθ gasoline engine with 117 kW / 159 PS that runs on liquid gas has also been available.

In 2012 there was a revision with a new front. The power of the diesel engine in the higher version increased to 98 kW / 133 PS. In addition to the 6-speed manual transmission, a 5- speed automatic transmission is also available for the first time .

  • Bongo Van

  • Facelift 2012

Web links

Commons : Kia Bongo  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Kia Ceres  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Kia K-Series  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files