Kia’s concept van, the Kia PV5, made its European debut at the IAA, with news that the famed seven-year warranty would be carried over from passengers cars to the LCVs.
The new electric van models, due in Europe in 2026 will get a 100,000 mile, seven-year warranty as well as eight years of cover for the battery in the UK.
European vans will get a similar seven-year 150,000km warranty, with the same standard level of battery cover.
However, that wasn’t the only news hiding in the shadows of the show stand as several show graphics gave away far more details about the identity of the so-called PBVs (Platform Beyond Vehicle).
Hints towards the production vehicle, which is to be produced at a purpose-built factory in South Korea from next year, include the silhouette of mirrors and its roof profile as well as headlight design.
Kia will drop the high-definition cameras used by the concept in favour of more traditional mirrors, while the roof outline also suggests some sheet metal changes in a departure from the smooth-surfaced concept.
Also revealed is the production design of the headlights which remain close to the concept with a high-mounted position but slightly softened shape.
The true size of the PV5 was also previously unknown, but more indications have been given as to where in the market this new electric van will sit. Kia says the new van will sit close to the C-segment van class comparable, but larger than a Ford Transit Connect or Citroen Berlingo. It’s bigger proportions, however, won’t quite make it touch the medium van segment dominated by the Ford Transit Custom.
The Kia PV5 will instead come in two body lengths and two roof heights, but UK customers are unlikely to get the short-wheelbase high roof model.
Kia is claiming best-in-class dimensions for the new van, but comparing the PV5 to smaller city vans will obviously lead to bigger volumes and carrying capacities greater than the small van benchmark of around 750 to 800kg. Payload will largely depend on battery size, which has yet to be confirmed, but there will be three battery packs on offer for the Asian models. Exact UK specification will be confirmed closer to the Kia PV5 van’s 2026 on sale date.
Shown as a chassis cab design, Kia also alluded to the range of conversions that will be on offer in the range. Although no partners have been specified, a collaboration with Petit Forestier shows that Kia is thinking about the converted market for both the PV5 and larger PV7.
There’s no word on power yet, but the PV5 will come as a front-wheel drive only van. Future versions of the PV5 with rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive are unlikely, but the larger PV7 will almost certainly get a range of different drivelines.
Sales for the PV5 are expected to be from fleets and small businesses and Kia will cater for both with an entry-level trim and a more well-appointed version.
Also confirmed show was the 150kW DC charging rate, which will enable the battery to be charged from 10-80% charge in just 30 minutes.
The completed version is set to be unveiled in February 2025, and it will make its world debut in the metal at the Seoul motor show in April.
