Kia is coming after Volkswagen’s foothold on the electrical camper market with the brand new Gentle Camper, constructed on its newly introduced PV5 electrical van.
Hoping to rival the much-admired ID.Buzz, the Gentle Camper appears to be the manufacturing model of the WKNDR idea from November final 12 months—and Kia’s boss additionally confirmed a bigger all-electric camper is being thought-about too.
“Sure, we’re taken with offering a camper van—not solely the Gentle Camper primarily based on PV5, but additionally one primarily based on PV7, too,” mentioned Kia president Ho-Sung Music this week on the Korean firm’s brand-hosted annual EV reveal day in Tarragona, Spain.
Constructed on the brand new E-GMP.S platform, the mid-sized PV5 van will launch with Passenger and Cargo variations in Korea and Europe within the second half of this 12 months, beginning at a worth of round £29,000 ($37,000). In addition to the Gentle Camper, different variations together with a Chassis Cab, Crew Cab, Freezer Field, Drop Aspect, and WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Car) will comply with.
You can select from both a 51.5-kWh or 71.2-kWh battery, with the extra highly effective model promising a max vary simply shy of 250 miles (30 miles or so lower than the Volkswagen ID.Buzz). Kia says a ten to 80 p.c cost will take simply half-hour with the suitable charger.
On the reveal, Kia needed to give attention to the Cargo (with as much as 5.1 m3 area within the again) and Passenger choices, and was reluctant to speak in regards to the coming campers, however a picture of the pink inside of the Gentle Camper was ever-so-briefly flashed up on a large display screen (see prime picture) through the presentation. What’s extra, a aspect exhibit on the occasion displayed a PV5 rear finish with varied tenting paraphernalia, together with fold-out inside aspect tables perfect for laptops, locations to hold med kits, and stowage for tenting gear.
Inbuilt V2L, or vehicle-to-load, signifies that the camper—very like most Kias now—will be capable of energy any family electrical equipment, which is a boon out within the wild. Inside on the entrance, a 12.9-inch infotainment display screen within the entrance runs an Android Automotive OS, whereas the motive force will get a 7in digital instrument cluster.
Similar to Kia’s WKNDR idea, the Gentle Camper is meant as an “escape pod for prolonged weekends in nature,” and may characteristic a equally versatile modular inside that may be simply personalized for varied pursuits. Kia referred to as its idea a “Swiss Military Knife on wheels,” which might additionally characteristic a cell pantry for “cooking aficionados that wish to cook dinner with a view.” This is hoping a cell kitchen to rival the likes of Rivian is on the playing cards.
We’re additionally hoping Kia’s earlier concept of putting in an onboard compressor to deal with adjusting tire strain when out on the path, and inflating mattresses when establishing camp for the night time makes it to the manufacturing model of the Gentle Camper too.
