Kia fields a pair of all-electric tenting ideas, the PV5 WKNDR and EV9 ADVNTR

When Kia pitched its new PV5 idea van with the promise it might be launched in 2025, the camper van group sat up and took discover. The South Korean firm’s acknowledged experience in EVs, mixed with its distinctive, unsentimental and progressive design values, indicated that the PV5 might be the strong foundation of a brand new era of all-electric camper vans.

To stoke additional pleasure, Kia took to the halls on the 2024 Specialty Gear Market Affiliation (SEMA) Present in Las Vegas with two bespoke idea vehicles, the EV9 ADVNTR and PV5 WKNDR. Other than the relatively passé absence of vowels, the 2 ideas showcase how the corporate’s present SUV flagship and future industrial star may turn out to be electrified life-style autos.

First up, the ADVNTR. The Kia EV9 is good-looking, spacious and competent, and within the fingers of the staff at Kia Design Heart America (KDCA) in Irvine, California, this three-row SUV has been given added powers within the type of 3-inch raised suspension, far more rugged tyres and wheels and a brand new roof platform. The final follows the present development for car-top tenting – mixed with the relative simplicity of the opposite mods, it implies the ADVNTR can be straightforward to place into manufacturing.

The PV5 WKDNR is a way more spatially subtle machine. The PV5 was launched as a part of Kia’s new era PBVs (Objective Past Autos), first proven earlier this yr at CES 2024. Whereas supply and small companies are the first goal marketplace for these zero-emission, multi-purpose vans, there’s no such factor as a industrial car that couldn’t be transformed right into a camper.

KDCA describes its WKNDR proposal as a ‘Swiss Military Knife on wheels’, with an built-in modular storage system, the ‘Gear Head’, that sits in your storage to maintain all of your package organised when not wanted on board. It’s a camper’s dream, with completely different components like a cellular pantry and kitchen, off-roading instruments and storage elements that be added and eliminated as wanted. A built-in compressor can do every part from inflate mattresses to adjusting the tyre pressures.

Kia is already effectively superior with offering Car to Load (V2L) know-how, with a regular electrical socket on board that permits to energy home equipment from the automotive’s battery pack, from vacuum cleaners to moveable audio. The WKNDR goals to be much more self-sufficient, with onboard photo voltaic panels and the relatively extra conceptual ‘hydro turbine wheels’ which are retailer power for recharging the batteries.

COO & EVP of Kia America Steven Heart was readily available to disclose the autos to guests at SEMA. ‘Our autos already assist individuals reside their energetic and adventurous existence and it was enjoyable to see simply how far we may go together with these newest ideas,’ he mentioned, ‘The SEMA Present acts as a clean canvas for creativity and presents a glimpse into what Kia’s automotive future might maintain.’

Kia EV9 ADVNTR and PV5 WKNDR, idea solely, Kia.com