It's a new concept approach. This is a decision by the provider that cannot be properly explained with the expression 'broadening the user's choices.' The purpose-based mobility 'Kia PV5' has been breaking the provider's grammar from the very beginning. The 'Flexible Body System' of the PV5 can expand the body up to 16 types according to the user's purpose.
This new concept was extensively developed at 'The Kia PV5 Tech Day.'
On the 22nd, 'The Kia PV5 Tech Day' held at the Ivex Studio in Gwangmyeong City explained why 'The Kia PV5' (hereinafter referred to as PV5) is the most useful electrified mobility in the world.
The PV5 is Kia's first dedicated electrified Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) that has practical flexibility, allowing hardware and software to be flexibly extended for various uses from a comfortable family car to a camping car and a work vehicle. Kia defines the essence of the PV5 as 'customized mobility that perfectly responds to the diverse needs of customers' and thoroughly involved actual customers directly in the vehicle development process along with rigorous market research.
As a result, over 1,000 user scenarios were established and verified, implementing practical and meaningful innovations and completing the most useful electrified mobility in the world.
Shin Seok-ha, executive director of the MSV Project 3 at the research and development headquarters, noted, 'The PV5, which has opened the era of future mobility, has implemented innovations encompassing maximization of space, scalability, and connectivity through active communication with customers from the early stages of development, which is a result of the capabilities and close collaboration across all institutional sectors of Kia.' He added, 'In the future, we will continue to enhance the marketability and completeness of the PV5 based on customer feedback.'
Kia was able to change the provider's grammar because it set a different approach from the development process.
Kia was the first to adopt the 'PBV dedicated new product development process' for the PV5, which actively reflects the voice of customers from the early stages of vehicle development.
The PBV dedicated new product development process was established as a system to flexibly develop various types of vehicles according to market demands.
The core is to establish a wide range of user scenarios based on detailed market research and customer interviews, and to enhance real-use verification by involving key target consumers and both domestic and foreign corporate clients from the early stages of development. Kia established more than 1,000 user scenarios and meticulously reviewed related regulations and statistical data, involving not only general consumers and corporate clients but also public institutions and local government officials for a multi-dimensional verification process.
Kia displayed a PBV test buck at the 'Hyundai Motor Group UX Studio Seoul' in the early development of the PV5 and invited various customers to carefully check the responses to the user experience concepts and scenarios. In the process of developing mobility vehicles for the transportation disadvantaged, opportunities were provided for wheelchair users and individuals involved in operating accessible taxis to directly experience the vehicle under development, and feedback from their actual usage experiences was actively listened to.
Their voices were directly reflected in the vehicle specifications.
The optimal vehicle specifications reflecting users' voices were completed with the most ideal design within limited parameters, such as a low second-row step for easy boarding and alighting, a maximum interior height of 181 cm (high roof standard) to improve work convenience in the cargo room, and the 'Kia Addgear' and 'L-Track package' that assist in easy mounting of various goods, along with a '5.5m turning radius' that makes narrow road driving and parking easier.
During the development process, Kia has regularized 'PBV Partners Day,' a customer participation event targeting domestic and foreign corporate clients and special vehicle companies. Over two occasions in 2022 and 2023, the developing PV5 was showcased to gather various opinions and suggestions regarding marketability, design, software solutions, and more. This event saw over 100 customer companies from Korea, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Japan participate to explore the development direction of the PV5 from each of their business perspectives in mobility, logistics, delivery, and utilities. Despite the risks of exposing the development direction externally, Kia did not abandon the collaboration principle. Because of this, the foundation for sustainable cooperation was rather solidified.
Kia meticulously analyzed the actual driving environments and vehicle utilization purposes of customers to configure the specifications and lineup of the PV5 and systematically reflected the customer requirements based on three development strategies: specialized PBV development, minimizing total cost of ownership (TCO), and building a PBV ecosystem.
Kia plans to diversify the seat configuration of the PV5 passenger model to 2-3-0, 1-2-2, and 2-2-3, while the cargo version will operate in three models: compact, long, and high roof. By maximizing design for space utilization and applying a variety of convenient features and highly durable materials, it supports customers' diverse daily lives and businesses, including mobility, transportation, and leisure.
To minimize the total cost of ownership incurred at every stage from vehicle purchase to operation, Kia maximized the parts commonality rate and optimized the motor and battery systems according to purpose for enhanced price competitiveness. It adopted hidden type LED headlights and a three-part bumper to minimize component damage during minor collisions, while reinforcing durability performance of the body and PE systems beyond that of existing passenger cars, contributing to reduced maintenance costs.
Kia adopted an AAOS-based infotainment system dedicated to PBV, establishing a scalable PBV ecosystem by enabling third-party app support through the Pleos App Market and facilitating control of conversion vehicles.
It also enabled customers to conveniently implement customized vehicles according to usage via the open-source-based platform 'Kia Addgear,' roof rack mount holes, and L-Tracks.
Furthermore, Kia plans to develop and produce conversion models efficiently through a 'PBV Conversion Center' and create a structure for mutual growth with external partners through a 'Conversion Portal System' to build a PBV ecosystem.
The PV5 has a long wheelbase of 2,995 mm, which is advantageous for securing interior space according to customer requirements, while implementing a 5.5 m turning radius to enhance convenience when driving in narrow alleys or parking, and has also applied the latest safety and convenience features such as second-generation Pedal Misoperation Safety Assist (PMSA), walk-away lock, and pet mode.
▲Modular IMA-based E-GMP.S platform
The PBV dedicated electrification platform 'E-GMP.S' applied for the first time in the PV5 is developed based on the next-generation development system 'Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA)' to maximize the indoor space and optimize performance considering the usage environment of potential PBV customers.
IMA is characterized by securing both development efficiency and product competitiveness by standardizing major components and systems in modular units, and based on this, E-GMP.S is designed to allow flexible combinations of various life modules on a common drive module consisting of standardized underbody, driveline, and suspension.
Kia optimized the arrangement of internal components in the PE room to minimize bulk and moved the driver's seat forward compared to existing MPVs, while applying a multi-structure in the front to maximize the impact energy dispersion effect, thereby enhancing safety.
To protect the battery from physical shocks, a battery protection structure was applied through the front subframe, ensuring a high ground clearance of 180 mm for the battery, while providing ample space between the battery and the side body. By expanding the application of ultra-high-strength steel, such as 170K·150K grade hot stamping and 150K grade roll forming, to key areas, the rigidity of the body was enhanced, minimizing passenger space deformation during collisions and further enhancing battery protection performance.
For the suspension, Kia adopted a front double wishbone and a rear CTBA (Coupled Torsion Beam Axle) to implement a low-floor design and spacious interior and optimized the design and performance to meet the diverse needs of PBV customers.
The front double wishbone improved maintenance convenience by simplifying the assembly process with an integrated module bracket structure, while the rear CTBA utilized new components, such as dual bump stoppers, nonlinear springs, and a separable CTBA bushing, to secure both durability and driving performance.
The dual bump stoppers enhance both driving and durability performance when passing over speed bumps or uneven surfaces, while the nonlinear springs prevent rear sagging during heavier passenger loads or cargo. The separable CTBA bushing is characterized by using different hardness rubber for comfort and durability, achieving both durability and quiet ride quality, which is utilized in specifications exclusive to passenger models to enhance satisfaction for rear-seat passengers.
The PV5 is equipped with a standard driving motor system with a maximum output of 120 kW (163 hp) and a maximum torque of 250 Nm (25.5 kgf·m), optimized for customer use environments, and offers three types of battery systems: NCM 71.2 kWh, 51.5 kWh, and LFP 43.3 kWh, which apply cell-to-pack (CTP) technology based on two standard battery cases. (※ The LFP battery is for overseas markets only.)
▲ New concept design and production method 'Flexible Body System'
Kia has introduced the 'Flexible Body System' for the first time in the PV5, applying a new design and production concept of 'bodies assembled like Lego blocks.'
The Flexible Body System is a PBV specialization technology that modularizes the body, moving parts like doors and tailgates, and key components of the exterior and interior, allowing flexible development and production of various specifications. It ensures not only design flexibility optimized for developing varied vehicles and production efficiency but also structural stability and maintenance convenience.
The PV5 has the front and first-row structures commonly applied across all models, while the structures beyond the first row are modularly constructed with rear overhangs, tailgates, and quarter glasses to allow flexible combinations of up to 16 types of bodies.
Kia plans to prioritize the introduction of a total of seven basic bodies, including passenger (long), cargo long (3-door/4-door), cargo compact (3-door/4-door), and cargo high roof (3-door/4-door), which contracted last month.
Among these, the cargo long will be produced by moving the 'rear overhang module' of the cargo compact backward and adding a 'long-body module' to extend the overall length, allowing for transformation into a passenger body merely by changing the 'quarter glass module' and 'tailgate module,' boasting high compatibility and flexibility.
Considering the expandability of the body, as well as safety and maintenance convenience, Kia devised an 'assembled rear side garnish' and 'exoskeleton circular structure' for the PV5.
The rear side garnish applied to the outer side of the body rearward of the D-pillar can be implemented in various sizes, shapes, and differentiated designs based on the vehicle's length, height, and purpose. It consists of three pieces that can be easily replaced in case of damage due to collisions or scratches, contributing to maintenance efficiency and cost reduction. Additionally, Kia improved the structural stability and NVH performance of the body by implementing an 'exoskeleton circular structure' that thickens the body skeleton outwards based on the assembled garnish structure, with the long-body model designed with this structure applied doubly to the rear overhang extension area (long-body module) and rear side (rear overhang module) to further enhance body rigidity.
The outer body side forward of the D-pillar can be produced using only two types of molds, differentiated by the presence or absence of a second-row sliding door and quarter glass, maximizing development and production efficiency.
The PV5 has a length of 4,495 mm (compact) and 4,695 mm (long/high roof), generally classified as a compact-mid-size vehicle, yet provides a large vehicle-level interior and cargo space through a long wheelbase of 2,995 mm, front placement of the driver's seat, and low-floor design.
The PV5 passenger model provides over 1,000 mm of headroom and legroom even in the third-row seats based on the 2-2-3 model, offering a spacious feel equivalent to that of the second-row seats in regular passenger cars. The second-row sliding door is designed with a step height of 399 mm and an opening amount of 775 mm to ensure convenient boarding and alighting for children, the elderly, wheelchair users, and passengers carrying luggage.
The trunk capacity, based on the 2-3-0 model, is 1,330 ℓ, and can be expanded to a maximum of 3,615 ℓ when the second-row seats are folded. In the mobility service specialized model (1-2-2), which replaces the front passenger seat with cargo space, up to three travel suitcases can be loaded in this area. (※ The number of suitcases that can be loaded may vary according to suitcase size.)
The PV5 cargo features a low rear load height of 419 mm, enhancing loading and unloading convenience, with an interior height of 1,520 mm for compact and long variants, and 1,815 mm for the high roof variant.
The cargo long provides a maximum loading capacity of 4,420 ℓ, while the high roof provides up to 5,165 ℓ. The high roof features a work-through option with a sliding door at the bulkhead and a passenger seat that pops up, allowing the driver to conveniently move from inside the vehicle to the cargo room without getting out.
Kia operates a 'luggage flattening deck' for the passenger 2-3-0 model as part of 'Kia Genuine Accessories' specifications, providing a flat space when the second-row seats are folded, creating a suitable indoor environment for camping and leisure activities. For the cargo model, a 'cargo room flattening floor' designed to accommodate large freight or pallets is also available to meet various customer demands.
It provides class-leading storage spaces, such as the upper tray on the driver's crash pad and a C-type USB charging port inside, floor and door scuff trays, a large-capacity door tray, a center fascia sliding tray, and a rear multi-storage space for the first-row seat dedicated to cargo.
So how can such a diverse lineup be maintained?
Kia has separately established a 'Kia PBV Conversion Center' and a 'PBV Conversion Development Process' near the PBV dedicated factory, 'Hwaseong EVO Plant.'
Here, conversion models with quality and marketability at the level of complete vehicles are developed and produced, and the external conversion ecosystem is also supported by operating a 'Conversion Portal System' and 'donor models.'
The body of basic models such as the PV5 passenger and cargo has a dedicated mounting structure for holes, nuts, and brackets applied, allowing essential parts to be securely and quickly installed without any additional work at the PBV Conversion Center, and controllers and wiring harnesses implemented for conversion-specific features are also included in the basic design.
Kia plans to present various conversion models, including open beds, 'light campers' optimized for leisure and relaxation, premium passenger models 'Prime,' van types, and refrigerated trucks through the PBV Conversion Center in the future.
Kia will begin domestic customer deliveries of the PV5 passenger 2-3-0 and cargo long models next month and plans to sequentially deploy the PV5 in the global market starting with the European launch in the fourth quarter of this year.
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