Innovative Kia PV5 Van Already Wins An Award In UK

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The Kia PV5 has barely gotten off the design desk, and it’s already gained an award within the UK. The one draw back: I’ve by no means heard of this award earlier than. However an award is an award.

The award is from What Van? Awards 2025 in London, and the PV5 gained within the “One to Watch” class.

The “One to Watch” class is for revolutionary new autos anticipated to affect and even remodel the market. The best way Kia phrases it is that this award “is only given to the most appealing and interesting vehicle set to change, invigorate or even disrupt the sector.” The PV5 was initially conceived and introduced as simply this type of car.

The “PBV platform offers users a blank canvas to redefine how space and mobility can adapt to their needs by providing exceptional flexibility through radical modularity,” Kia wrote a number of months in the past at CES 2024 when introducing the PBV platform and PV5, and added that it was “determined to overcome all existing restrictive and one-dimensional industry product line-up offerings.”

“Kia says its PBVs will be characterized by ‘Easy Swap’ technology, meaning the vehicle chassis can be used in combination with interchangeable upper bodies,” Steve Hanley wrote on the time. “These are connected to the base vehicle using a hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology, ‘turning the PBV into a taxi during the day, to a delivery van at night, and a personal recreational vehicle on weekends.’ Sounds vaguely reminiscent of the Nissan Pulsar, which debuted in 1978 with a removable rear section that allowed it to transition between a notchback coupe and a small station wagon in a matter of minutes.”

So, until one needs to dig again into 1978 (and that comparability itself should be doubtful, regardless that I do know nothing in regards to the Nissan Pulsar and don’t have any proof to again me up), it does look like the PBV platform is a contemporary step into the longer term.

“An experienced panel of independent judges from across the light commercial vehicle sector” got here up with the award winners. “Kia’s entry into the LCV market with this versatile, modular van promises to signal the shape of things to come for electric load carriers,” James Dallas, Editor of What Van?, famous concerning this winner.

It was only a month in the past that I wrote about Kia’s plans to bring the PV5, PV7, and other PBV vehicles to the British and European markets, and it doesn’t official launch or begin getting delivered till 2025. The truth is, the ultimate manufacturing model of the PV5 hasn’t even been proven but! So, I used to be a bit stunned to already see it profitable awards. However that reveals how a lot of an impression Kia is already having with this new platform.

“Kia’s entrance in the van industry is a ground-breaking moment for our brand and comes at a time of significant industry change,” Simon Hetherington, Kia UK’s Industrial Director, says. “We’re confident with our starting place: 100% electric with a dedicated EV platform and the unique benefit of being able to tailor our commercial vehicle business to modern challenges. We gratefully accept What Van?’s ‘One to watch’ award and we are all very proud of this recognition.” It seems like a good suggestion, and Kia looks like an organization that might perform this imaginative and prescient in an efficient, environment friendly, interesting approach.