Chances are that you’ve watched the K-drama called Hellbound and noticed this strange looking vehicle. Here’s a formal introduction with the Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV), the Kia Ray. Kia only just introduced a one-seater variant of the Ray that expands the cargo space by 30 percent!
Before you ask, the Kia Ray is not a new car. The little PBV was first introduced in 2011 as the Korean version of the Japanese tall Kei-box car.
Pre-facelift Kia Ray
The Ray is based on the popular and measures only 3,595 x 1,595 x 1,700 mm in length, width, and height and has a wheelbase of 2,520 mm.
| Kia Ray vs dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kia Ray | Axia | |
| Length | 3,595 | 3,645 |
| Width | 1,595 | 1,620 |
| Height | 1,700 | 1,510 |
| Wheelbase | 2,520 | 2,455 |
Thanks to its measurements coming in below 3,600 mm, the Ray is categorised as a GyeongCha, or directly translated ‘light car’. So, it is eligible for various tax incentives that are offered for cars below 3,600 mm.
Although it has been more than ten years since it first made its debut, the Ray is still in its first generation. Kia gave the two-seater car a facelift in 2018 and changes are limited to a new front end thanks to the new closed-off grille and a slightly revised interior.
The latest iteration known as the Ray One-Seater Van is, as the name says, in the form of a one-seater van. Kia has yanked out the passenger seat to make way for a total 1,628 litres of cargo space.
Facelift Kia Ray launched in 2018
That is 30 percent more than the two-seater variant giving the Ray the title of the largest cargo capacity among compact-sized light car models.
Removing the passenger seat also reduced the weight of the car by 26 percent, or 65 kg.
Kia Ray One-Seater Van
The space that was previously occupied by the passenger seat has been turned into a footrest where drivers can securely store their luggage.
It’s adorable, and you want one, but you’re probably thinking that the car won’t make it here in Malaysia. Well, don’t lose hope just yet, because we have good news.
When Bermaz Auto Allianz, the new distributor for Kia vehicles in Malaysia, made its product presentation on what to expect from the Kia brand in the coming years, they mentioned ‘Expand B2B consumer-based by entering PBV business’.
At that time, we didn’t understand what PBV means, now that we’re better acquainted with the Ray, we know now that it could possibly be this minivan for pasar malam runs. Possibly. We can’t be entirely certain that the Ray will be the representative here, but one can always hope!
Keyword: The cutest compact Pasar Malam van that Malaysia needs, this is the Kia Ray