Kia PV5 Tech Day Highlights Revolutionary Technology for Limitless Mobility
Gwangmyeong, July 23, 2025 — Kia Corporation unveiled its groundbreaking PV5 at the Kia PV5 Tech Day event held today at the IVEX Studio in Gwangmyeong. The event showcased the development journey, core technologies, and innovations behind Kia’s first dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV), signaling a new era in flexible, sustainable mobility solutions tailored for diverse business needs.
Setting New Standards with Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV)
Building on Hyundai Motor Group’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), the Kia PV5 optimizes space, safety, and adaptability for various commercial and mobility services. The platform integrates modular architecture — including batteries, motors, suspension, and structural components — enabling streamlined development and enhanced serviceability.
Seokha Ju, Vice President and Head of MSV Project Group 3 at Kia’s R&D Division, emphasized the PV5’s role in establishing a "revolutionary, flexible mobility ecosystem shaped by real customer input from day one." The PV5 represents more than a vehicle; it is a dynamic response to evolving business demands in mobility, logistics, and utilities.
Customer-Centric Development Approach
Kia’s development process for the PV5 was uniquely customer-led, exceeding traditional market research methods. Through its PBV Partners Day events in 2022 and 2023, Kia engaged over 120 clients globally, including participants from Korea, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Japan. Their direct feedback influenced key vehicle features such as removing the front passenger seat for increased cargo space, utilize stain-resistant materials, and offering a “walk-through” option on High-Roof variants, allowing seamless movement between cabin and cargo areas without exiting the vehicle.
In alignment with its commitment to accessibility, Kia collaborated closely with mobility-impaired users to design the PV5 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). This model includes a gentle-sloped side-entry ramp, universal wheelchair securing systems, and a spacious low floor, addressing mobility needs often overlooked in this segment.
Innovative Flexible Body System Enables Versatility
A highlight of the PV5 is Kia’s pioneering Flexible Body System — a building-block modular design method that allows rapid customization and scalability. This system modularizes major body components including structure, doors, tailgates, and panels, enabling up to 16 different variants from just a handful of assemblies.
Standardization of the front cabin and first-row structure across all variants, combined with interchangeable rear-end modules and roof configurations, gives Kia the flexibility to deliver seven initial base models ranging from passenger to cargo versions with varied roof heights. For example, converting a cargo standard model into a long-body or passenger variant is easily accomplished by swapping parts, streamlining production and broadening use cases.
Durability and repairability are enhanced through dual-layer plastic composite rear garnishes designed for easy replacement, and the chassis benefits from structural reinforcements like ring-type exoskeletal frames to improve stiffness and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
Advanced Powertrain and Safety Engineering
The PV5 is powered by a 120 kW electric motor producing 250 Nm of torque, paired with three battery options tailored to different operational profiles: a 43.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack, a 51.5 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) pack, and a 71.2 kWh NCM pack.
Kia placed particular emphasis on safety with a multi-skeletal crash structure featuring ultra-high-tensile steel, a reinforced front subframe, elevated ground clearance for impact protection, and expanded buffer zones protecting the battery pack. The electric platform’s “PE room” design optimally arranges power electric components to maximize interior space while ensuring occupant and cargo safety.
Maximizing Space and Usability
Though sized in the C-segment class, the PV5’s 2,995mm wheelbase combined with a low-floor layout delivers exceptional interior volume. Passenger variants provide up to 3.6 cubic meters of cargo space with foldable rear seats, while cargo models extend volumetric capacity up to 5.1 cubic meters on High Roof variants.
The vehicle’s compact 5.5-meter turning radius enhances urban maneuverability despite a long wheelbase. A low step height (399mm at sliding doors, 419mm at tailgate) facilitates easy entry for passengers of all ages and abilities.
Tailored For Business with Connected Ecosystem
Alongside hardware innovations, Kia equips the PV5 with a comprehensive PBV software ecosystem. Features include an advanced fleet management system (FMS) and Android Automotive-based infotainment, empowering business clients to efficiently monitor, control, and update their vehicles in real time. This integrated approach aims to reduce total cost of ownership by optimizing maintenance and operational functions.
Toward a Sustainable Mobility Future
The launch of the PV5 marks the beginning of Kia’s long-term strategy to position dedicated PBVs as cornerstones of sustainable growth. Combining cutting-edge modular technology, user-centric design, and scalable software ecosystems, the PV5 exemplifies Kia’s commitment to delivering adaptable, practical, and environmentally responsible mobility solutions for businesses worldwide.
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