- Kia revealed the first exterior photos of the production-ready PV5 electric passenger and cargo vans.
- The PV5 will be offered in three body styles and multiple interior configurations, although the main versions will be passenger and cargo vans.
- Kia says that interior photos and a more detailed technical breakdown will become available by the end of the month.
With the introduction of the production-ready PV5 electric van, Kia just shoved its drink into Volkswagen’s hand and said “Hold my beer.” The modular electric van joins Kia’s lineup as a competitor to the ID.Buzz van from VW. The PV5 was first shown at last year’s CES show. Now revealed in production form, it looks virtually identical to the original concept.
The mid-size van will be available in three body styles and “several” configurations, starting with passenger and cargo versions and adding specialized conversion models down the line. From the exterior images Kia has released, we can tell that both the passenger and cargo versions have a simple front end, with a tall, flat profile that is sure to offer gobs of headroom.
The passenger version uses huge glass windows that stretch to the back of the van, while the cargo version blocks out those panels. Speaking of the back of the van, the passenger version features a lift-up tailgate, while the cargo model uses twin side-opening doors.
Powertrain details haven’t been revealed yet, but we know that Kia developed the PV5 from the ground up as an EV. We’re also waiting on photos of the interior, but from what we can see in these photos, the dash has separate screens for infotainment and the gauge cluster.
Kia is scheduled to reveal more about the new van on February 24, with interior and powertrain details scheduled to be released three days later. Unfortunately, due to current tariff laws, it’s unlikely the PV5 lineup will make its way to the United States, so this is one vehicle we’ll have to enjoy from afar.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
