Photo: Kia Motors Corporation
While the South Korean automaker is preoccupied with the bread-and-butter Sportage compact crossover SUV at home, which just got updated with Sorento and Carnival-like design cues, its American subsidiary is coming down with the 2024 SEMA Show fever in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As such, Kia America marks its return to the Specialty Equipment Market Association's annual show with two 'custom' prototypes created with one goal in mind – adventure. It seems that 2024 is a year of fooling around with words, according to the automotive industry. Thus, after getting our minds blown away and our jaws dropped two stories by the Ringbrothers-born 1,246-horsepower 1987 Buick Grand National called 'Invadr,' now it's time to meet the Kia EV9 'Advntr' crossover SUV and the PV5 'Wkndr' concept EV minivan.
These two new custom prototypes were developed by the designers from Kia Design Center America (KDCA) as an "easy way to imagine a future where vehicles will provide the ultimate in capability, adaptability, utility and organization and all with an eye on sustainability." The EV9 'Advntr' wants to make the popular all-electric three-row SUV "truly unique" and has custom front and rear styling with an emphasis on a rugged look plus reinforced rocker panels. Additionally, there's a three-inch lift, all-terrain wheels and tires, and a custom roof rack, all to make it "an expression of a lifestyle utility vehicle ready for tomorrow's adventures."
Moving on, the PV5 Wkndr concept EV minivan is a part of the recently announced family of PBVs - Purpose Beyond Vehicles – which are focused on small business and delivery services. In this instance, though, it's also about lifestyle – lifted and mounted on off-road tires, it becomes the "ideal escape pod for extended weekends in nature," according to the South Korean automaker. It's also a "Swiss Army Knife on wheels" featuring a 'Gear Head' storage solution envisioned as an off-board, sheltered storage space for gear when the vehicle is not moving. Aimed to be self-sufficient, the PV5 Wkndr EV van has solar panels and even "unique hydro turbine wheels that can recharge the batteries for many uses."
Additionally, Kia also brought to life bespoke variants of three best-selling crossover SUV models – all based on deities from Greek mythology. Thetis, the goddess of water, is a Kia Sportage developed with Rhino Rack – and it will be on display at the Rhino Rack booth. Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder, is a Kia Telluride created in partnership with Xpel and will be displayed outside near the SEMA Overland Expo. Finally, Gaia, the goddess of Earth, is a Kia Sorento that will be featured at the Xpel booth.
"Kia's rugged and capable utility vehicles have long been known for being versatile, adaptable, and comfortable to suit the needs of a wide range of consumers. We wanted to 'level up' the functionality and capability by developing these concepts that take those legendary attributes to the next level," said Steven Center, COO & EVP of Kia America.
These two new custom prototypes were developed by the designers from Kia Design Center America (KDCA) as an "easy way to imagine a future where vehicles will provide the ultimate in capability, adaptability, utility and organization and all with an eye on sustainability." The EV9 'Advntr' wants to make the popular all-electric three-row SUV "truly unique" and has custom front and rear styling with an emphasis on a rugged look plus reinforced rocker panels. Additionally, there's a three-inch lift, all-terrain wheels and tires, and a custom roof rack, all to make it "an expression of a lifestyle utility vehicle ready for tomorrow's adventures."
Moving on, the PV5 Wkndr concept EV minivan is a part of the recently announced family of PBVs - Purpose Beyond Vehicles – which are focused on small business and delivery services. In this instance, though, it's also about lifestyle – lifted and mounted on off-road tires, it becomes the "ideal escape pod for extended weekends in nature," according to the South Korean automaker. It's also a "Swiss Army Knife on wheels" featuring a 'Gear Head' storage solution envisioned as an off-board, sheltered storage space for gear when the vehicle is not moving. Aimed to be self-sufficient, the PV5 Wkndr EV van has solar panels and even "unique hydro turbine wheels that can recharge the batteries for many uses."
Additionally, Kia also brought to life bespoke variants of three best-selling crossover SUV models – all based on deities from Greek mythology. Thetis, the goddess of water, is a Kia Sportage developed with Rhino Rack – and it will be on display at the Rhino Rack booth. Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder, is a Kia Telluride created in partnership with Xpel and will be displayed outside near the SEMA Overland Expo. Finally, Gaia, the goddess of Earth, is a Kia Sorento that will be featured at the Xpel booth.
"Kia's rugged and capable utility vehicles have long been known for being versatile, adaptable, and comfortable to suit the needs of a wide range of consumers. We wanted to 'level up' the functionality and capability by developing these concepts that take those legendary attributes to the next level," said Steven Center, COO & EVP of Kia America.
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