Kia finally reveals what its new ute will be called after Australia's biggest sports stars called for it to be named after them in viral ad

Kia has finally announced what its new Toyota Hilux rival will be called after using some of Australia's most loved sporting icons in a viral commercial to promote the vehicle.

The Korean maker has confirmed that the new vehicle will be called the Tasman when it launches next year. 

Amongst the lineup of athletes in the ad were NRL legends Darren Lockyer and Wendell Sailor, former cricketers David Boon and Steve Waugh, AFL great Buddy Franklin and tennis star Ash Barty.

During the commercial, the athletes speculate over what the new ute should be called, with some suggesting that it should be named after themselves.

The ad dropped a hint about the new name when former footy star Alan Langer threw a dart at a map of the Tasman Sea.

Utes sell very well in Australia, last year filling the top three positions on the sales charts.

Kia expects to sell between 25,000 and 30,000 Tasmans a year, which would place them in second spot in sales behind Toyota. 

'The team at Kia Australia has been working closely with the Research and Development team at headquarters to develop Tasman, a vehicle we believe will meet the needs of our unique market, so it's very rewarding that it has been granted an Australian-inspired name befitting its personality,' said Kia Australia chief executive Damien Meredith.

'We have strong ambitions for Tasman in our market, and the fact that its name has such distinct links to our region is evidence of Kia Australia's instrumental role in its development and future success.'

The Tasman is expected to feature a four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which matches the volume selling versions of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

It is expected that an electric version of the Tasman will follow in a year or two. 

The sports stars involved in the commercial had fun putting it together. 

'I'm not going to win any Oscars but as long as they keep the dialogue short, I'm okay,' Lockyer told A Current Affair who went behind the scenes at the shoot.

UFC star Alex Volkanovski was a lot more confident about his acting chops. 

'I thrive in front of the camera, I absolutely love it, I'm looking forward to it,' Volkanovski said.