The
2014 SEMA show is traditionally the home of modified high horsepower vehicles,
but Kia
turned that idea on its head when it revealed its Soul
EV ice cream van.
Complete
with custom interior fitout and a dinky little trailer, Kia says the idea behind the
modern-day iced confection delivery service was to bring some of the magic of
ice cream vans of yesteryear – only this time the magic is a little more
scientific.
Kia teamed up with San
Francisco-based Smitten ice-cream company, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze
the liquid milk and cream on the spot, and custom equipped the Soul EV to handle the high-tech
systems.
As such
the car features a unique hemlock cab divider that splits the two front seats
from the rear passenger compartment, which has been retrofitted with bespoke
ice cream equipment storage areas. The cabin also gets flamboyant red and white
leather trim and panelling.
Further
changes to the Soul EV include
'shaved' door handles with electronic latches instead, along with a cherry red
exterior paint job and retro baby moon hub caps for the wheels, which are
matched by the teardrop-shaped trailer.
The trailer
is made from aluminium and "adds nostalgia to the Smitten Soul EV while providing
added storage and functionality" says Kia. The trailer
hooks up to the car via a pull-out table for extra workspace too.
A trio
of waffle cone-shaped speakers sit atop the Kia Soul EV's roof to
proclaim the vehicle's impending arrival, which is achieved via the car's
Lithium-ion batteries. They provide enough charge for the vehicle to travel
just over 200km, in conjunction with an 81kW/285Nm electric motor.
When
the vehicle is stationary custom 'stop' signs with integrated LED light fold
out from the rear of the car in both warning to other motorists to slow down
and as an homage to ice cream trucks of the past.
The
plan is to put the Soul EV
into active duty once its motor show duties are complete.
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