The conversion van experts at Vantrack say they’re ready to deliver on the promise of Kia’s own WKNDR concept with a new electric camper van based on the popular Kia PV5 Passenger – but unlike the concept that inspired it, this van is headed for production.
Netherlands-based Vantrack first unveiled its Kia PV5 Passenger-based LightCamp as a proof-of-concept prototype back in April, and the response was apparently strong enough to convince the Dutch design firm to move forward with production, giving EV camping enthusiasts a chance to actually own a compact, all-electric adventure van instead of simply admiring one on the auto show circuit.
More than an Ikea Kia
Conceptually similar to “Ikea Kia” camper kits shown by VanLab, Slidepod, and others, Vantrack’s camper package can be easily removed, turning the PV5 back into a people-mover with minimal effort. The difference here is – if not quality, certainly design, with the Vantrack kit offering visibly superior integration and a higher degree of fit and finish.
The trade-off is, of course, price. Where the VanLab kit has been advertised at around $2,000, Vantrack’s ZELT rooftop tent alone – accessible through the Vantrack “Skylight” sunroof – falls into the same premium category as comparable hard-shell overland tents that routinely sell for over $3,000 on their own.
That Skylight doesn’t look cheap, either.
That’s a good thing
Despite offering a similar-on-paper camping experience to the VanLab kit that adds just $2,000 to the price of a PV5, Vantrack’s high-end, soft touch, machined aluminum component LightCamp van is priced at €65,000 – about €25,000 higher than the Kia PV5 Passenger Essential it’s based on.
Vancamp’s angle then, isn’t necessarily about making the outdoors more accessible for everyone, but about providing a premium campground experience.
“With the LightCamp, built on the new all-electric PV5 platform, Vantrack creates a new form of mobility in which vehicle, interior, shelter, and outdoor space merge into a single lightweight and flexible system,” reads the official copy. “(LightCamp) is compact for everyday use, yet designed to unfold into a living environment for outdoor adventure, relaxation, sports, and connection.”
LightCamp offers campers a portable induction cook station, an 11 L (~3 gallons) fresh water system with an integrated faucet, and an 18 L insulated cooler, a height-adjustable 130 × 190 cm (“full” sized) slide-out bed with a high-end air mattress inside, and the previously-mentioned ZELT rooftop tent accessible through Vantrack’s panoramic “SkyLight” roof hatch that adds sleeping space for two more campers. Cargo rails, a 195 L rear storage rack, and a Euro-crate-compatible cargo drawer round out the package.
First deliveries are expected this September.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Vantrack.
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