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Grey Cloth The Korean firm recently launched the Kia K2900 CRDi light truck, the evolution model of the K2700 which first appeared in Australia in 2002.More than 4200 K2700s were sold in Australia after the little truck with the huge tray grabbed the attention of plumbers, electricians, landscape gardeners, parks and reserves departments and motorway maintenance crews.The 3.11-metre tray, with all three sides dropable, was an ideal vehicle for those wanting to carry bulky or long items which were not necessarily very heavy.The K2900 basically rectifies any criticisms levelled at the previous model.The engine has come in for a huge update. It is now a common rail turbocharged effort putting out nearly 60 per cent more power and nearly 50 per cent more torque.Gross vehicle mass of the cab-chassis model has been increased to 3290kg, an improvement of 13 per cent over the K2700.Payload has been increased from one tonne to a maximum of 1740kg (cab-chassis) or 1481kg with the optional factory steel tray. So the K2900 retains all the attributes that made it attractive while rectifying the shortcomings.The K2900 has a 2902cc four-cylinder engine that features double overhead camshafts, Common Rail Direct injection, a waste gate turbocharger and an intercooler.The Euro-IV compliant diesel produces maximum power of 92kW at 3800rpm, sufficient to get the K2900 up to a top speed of 140km/h. But more importantly, maximum torque is now 245Nm at 2000rpm with more than 90 per cent of that from 1500-3200rpm.Coupled with an all-synchromesh five-speed gearbox, the engine proved flexible and torquey. Indeed wet weather starts with the truck empty had the rear wheels spinning frantically. And in usual common rail fashion, the engine was such a willing performer it was a constant job making sure the speedo stayed below the limit. The 2900 had power to burn.The five-speed box was easy to use with the gate well defined. While the synchromesh worked well if gear changes were at a moderate rate rather than rushed, double clutching seemed to make the changes an even smoother operation.The increase in performance has been achieved without a corresponding increase in costs. Kia claims it's 10.2litres/100km, 6 per cent less fuel use than the 2700 and nearly 5 per cent less CO2 output than the older, smaller engine.K2900 comes with different size wheels front to back. Steering is performed by 15-inch wheels while 12-inch rears keep the tray low. A front and a rear spare wheel are carried at the rear of the truck under the tray.Front suspension is double wishbone with torsion bars and gas shock absorbers and a stabiliser bar, while the rear has multi-leaf springs with gas shock absorbers. Empty, the ride is a little bouncy at the front which is only to be expected in a cab-over configuration, with the vast majority of the weight over the front axles.The ventilated, power-assisted front discs and the rear drum brakes worked well, feeling more than adequate and with good progression and pedal feel much better than some cars.Inside, the cabin has not changed much. The 2900 comes with manual airconditioning, a single CD player and AM/FM radio with twin speakers, Urban Grey cloth interior, remote central locking, power front windows, twin grab handles for access, and twin dual-pane convex exterior mirrors.Instruments consist of analogue rev counter and speedo fuel gauge and water temperature gauge.There is a centre seat (making it a three-seater) on which, when not in action, the backrest drops down revealing a storage tray and twin cupholders.The driver and outside passenger get lap/sash seatbelts while the middle passenger has to make do with a lap only belt. ADRs for light trucks do not require anti-lock brakes, airbags or stability control and none are fitted.Given recent tragic accidents where a number of toddlers have been killed as people reversed over them, Kia is justified in making it well known the K2900 is the best tray top or ute for safe reversing. This rating was bestowed by the NRMA and confirmed with a glance from the relatively high cab rear window over the low-set tray.Perhaps the biggest criticism of the cabin is that the moulded protrusion on the driver's door for a cup holder sometimes seems very close to the driver's right leg and constant rubbing could become a nuisance.The steering wheel is adjustable only for tilt. The 2900 has a five-year, 130,000km warranty. The cab-chassis sells for $28,990. The optional factory steel tray lifts the price to $30,490.