- Kia launches three electrical vans – PV5, PV7 and PV1 – at CES in Las Vegas
- All vans will probably be constructed utilizing Kia’s new Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) system
- Featuring swappable ‘life modules’ so vans can rework into taxis or MPVs
Not content material with reaching large success within the electrical automobile area with its award-winning EV6 and e-Niro, Kia is coming into the electrical van market… however with a twist.
The Korean model has unveiled three idea business electrical automobiles on the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas this week, with the primary – the PV5 – set to reach in 2026.
All three vans – together with the PV1 and PV7 – are based mostly on the Korean model’s new Purpose Built Vehicle (PVB) system, which Kia says prioritises ‘in depth modularity’.
That means they can be utilized as business automobiles through the week and transformed to campervans for whenever you desire a weekend away.
Kia’s unveiled three idea electrical vans utilizing a customisable Purpose Built Vehicle (PVB) system. The picture exhibits the PV5 (two fashions pictured center) as a business automobile and an MPV
With the PV5 main the way in which as a part of Kia’s ‘Beyond Mobility’ technique, all sequential PV fashions will characteristic ‘Easy Swap’ know-how that fulfils totally different mobility wants.
While the entrance cab is fastened the rear is interchangeable.
Different ‘life modules’ that make up the rear portion or higher physique of every automobile could be switched out and in utilizing mechanical coupling and electromagnetic tech – one thing a supplier can be accountable to hold out.
So, the PV5 may very well be a van throughout per week after which double as a individuals provider when it is time to carpool youngsters over the weekend. It may even be transformed to a campervan or taxi.
Kia says it has designed the PVB platform for such a degree of ‘enhanced versatility’.
‘Life modules’ permit for the rear portion of the automobile to be swapped out and in, turning the PV5 right into a MPV, camper van or taxi
Kia gives ‘distinctive flexibility and customisation by radical modularisation’
Initially, Kia is launching the PV5 with a deal with business use, with the Basic, Van, High Roof and Chassis Cab variations first to hit the market.
There’s an emphasis on design simplicity with intelligent twists, although the marque provides that high-quality, dependability and functionality will make PV fashions functionable for all calls for.
Karim Habib, government vp and head of Kia Global Design stated: ‘Kia PBVs will provoke a brand new period of seamless on a regular basis enterprise and life-style options.
‘We hope to make our prospects’ lives simpler and higher, whether or not they’re stationary or on the transfer, providing distinctive flexibility and customisation by radical modularisation.’
All PV5 fashions have massive doorways that open to pillarless, huge and flat load areas with built-in rails for max versatility.
The cab even comes with a desk-like sprint that may double-up as an workplace on wheels – just like that of the electrical Ford E-Transit Custom.
The PV5 cab doubles up as a cellular workplace with sprint to desk design and large infotainment screens
The multi-way inside is detachable and configurable to accommodate all mobility wants
The futuristic practicality is matched with Sci-Fi seems – clear, curved one-box our bodies with slit-thin LED headlights constructed from sustainable supplies.
By utilizing bio plastic, bio paint, recycled PET material, felt and yarns Kia desires to ‘ship a novel visible and tactile enchantment […] that limits environmental influence at this time and tomorrow’.
Tech of tomorrow is one other theme to return out of Kia’s launch.
The PV5 will embrace superior software program connectivity as a nod in direction of part two and three of Kia’s business automobile plans which embrace built-in AI and autonomous driving and supply companies.
PV fashions could have built-in AI and superior software program connectivity for a personalised expertise
Book it as a taxi and it will flip up together with your title displayed back and front in daring font. Want to benefit from the sunshine? The clear roof can be a perovskite photo voltaic cell roof that prices the battery on the transfer and delivers electrical energy direct to the plug subsequent to your seat.
Prices have but to be confirmed however it’s anticipated that Kia will goal an entry worth of round £30,000.
No element has been launched on the PV5’s powertrain both however it’s more likely to share batteries and motors from Kia’s electrical SUVs such because the EV6 and EV9. This might put the expected vary of as much as 349 miles (utilizing the EV9’s 95kWh battery).
The PV7 will go up towards Ford’s E-Transit (which has a spread of 236 miles) when it arrives in 2017 and can include the choice of four-wheel drive.
The PV1 however will probably be designed for brief distance agile city transportation.
These fashions full part two of Kia’s ‘Beyond Mobility’ technique.
Phase three will ship bespoke mobility options to fleets as a part of a ‘good metropolis’ system, with self-driving PV5 Robotaxi fitted with Kia’s Level 4 autonomous driving know-how.