Kia Soul EV Receives A Surf-Themed Off-Road Concept

To mark its collaboration with UK music festival Boardmasters, Kia has created a surf-inspired off-road prototype based on the electrified Soul.

The Kia Soul EV Boardmasters Edition is a ‘recycled' Soul prototype that preserves its 64kWh long-range battery pack and 201 bhp electric engine, as well as its Neptune Blue exterior color.

The prototype rides on 16-inch Maxxis Bighorn sand tires, and its ride height has been increased from 153mm to 310mm at the front and 320mm at the back, more than doubling its regular ground clearance.

A custom-built steel roof rack made of lightweight steel tubing has been installed on the automobile, with space for two 7ft 9in surfboards put on the rooftop.

The roof rack raises the Soul's height to 1950mm, making it 255mm taller than the Kia Sorento. An individual solar panel is mounted above the surfboards, connected to a 12V recreational battery, and providing renewable energy to a pair of Lazer ST4 Evolution LED lamps, as well as a small fridge or other auxiliary equipment.

The rear bench seats have been deleted, and the boot has been enlarged to include a PEFC-certified spruce wooden deck behind the driver and passenger seats. A swing-out arm may be used to hang a pair of wetsuits or towels, and it's been dyed white to give the cabin a lighter seaside vibe.

The front of the cab is identical to the basic Soul, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Au auto, and a Harman/Kardon premium audio system with 10 speakers.