Kia blew our minds at this year’s SEMA show with what they call the Kia WKNDR (Weekender). This lifted cabover van is meant to have good off-road capability and innovative camper van versatility. This is still a concept vehicle that is based on Kia’s new PV5 electric vehicle platform. The PV5 is meant to be a commercial van or pickup truck. This WKNDR takes a commercial van platform and turns it into a fun recreational vehicle. Let’s dig in!
This vehicle is small on the outside but big on the inside. It has standard forward opening doors in the front, a minivan sliding door on the passenger side, and a cool portal slide-out door on the driver’s side. It has barn-style doors in the back. This concept vehicle is ready for an adventurous drive with a lifted suspension and chunky all-terrain tires. However, the wheel hubs do not spin with the tire. It’s an innovation that Kia calls hydro-turbine. It’s a concept wheel hub that is supposed to generate electricity if it’s spun by wind or water that is moving through it if you park in a stream. We are skeptical and curious about this feature.
The interior is modular and reconfigurable. This is the ultimate way to maximize available space in the van. You can convert the passenger seat to face rearward. There are movable cushions and a center “coffee table”. The top pops up to reveal a wedge camping tent. Vans like the VW Westfalia and VW California have been very successful around the world. Why not this?
This WKNDR has digital information screens in the front and the back. These can display any information. Kia incorporated a front winch pull force display into the forward-facing screen. Using a winch can be a stressful and somewhat dangerous endeavor. It’s great to know that you are not exceeding the pull strength of your winch.
Check out this new van concept in the video below. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
You can also see this vehicle in motion in this simulation video.
