Two concept cars, a growing trend. Kia unveiled at Sema in Las Vegas, the traditional showcase for the most extreme vehicles on the planet, two interpretations of vehicles designed for adventure leisure: ‘EV9 “ADVNTR” and PV5 “WKNDR” tell of a phenomenon that has been developing for some time but has exploded since Covid: people increasingly want to experience nature in their vehicles. It is a very strong trend in Asia and the United States, but it is also growing in Europe,’ says Andre Franco Luis, Future Design Manager at Kia. ‘With these two vehicles we have satisfied them: they have all the equipment to explore the world and are electric for zero impact on nature.’ Designed by Kia Design Center America (KDCA) designers, the concepts envision a future where vehicles will offer the ultimate in capability, adaptability, utility and organisation, all with an eye on sustainability.
The EV9 ADVNTR is a very special variant of the seven-seat electric SUV to be unveiled by Kia in 2023. ‘I think it is the most adventurous Suv that Kia has ever imagined. The level of customisation is very high,’ explains Luis. ‘Front and rear are fully customised and we have fitted the vehicle with reinforced bumper panels for greater ability to withstand jumps and bumps.’ The SUV is also three inches taller than the standard version and has rugged, knobbly tyres to cope with the roughest terrain. The roof can accommodate a variety of equipment: ‘From roof racks to tents, there is room for everything: it is a vehicle that can be exploited to the full’.
Equipped with a highly flexible and adaptable modular interior, the PV5 is a Swiss army knife on wheels. The ‘Gear Head’ function provides a sheltered storage space for equipment when the vehicle is stationary: ‘So when you’re stationary, the interior is free and everything inside can be safely stored’. The ‘Gear Head’ can also turn into a mobile larder for cooking enthusiasts who wish to ‘cook with a view’. Energy is provided by solar panels and unique hydraulic turbine wheels that can recharge the batteries. The equipment is endless. The most useful? The compressor for adjusting tyre pressure or inflating sleeping mats when camping for the night.
