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When envisioning surfing, many picture the sunny beaches of Hawaii. For beach driving, one might imagine cruising in an open-top four-wheel drive. However, Kia has a different perspective, unveiling the Soul EV Boardmasters Edition at a festival in England this summer, reports Motor1.
Named after the Boardmasters surf and music festival taking place in Cornwall, this modified Soul EV features several enhancements designed for navigating damp English beaches. Constructed from a “recycled” pre-production model, it boasts a three-inch lift for improved ground clearance on off-road terrain. The original wheels have been replaced with robust 30″ Maxxis Bighorn sand tires mounted on 16″ steel rims.
Additional modifications make the Boardmasters variant more beach-friendly, featuring a custom steel roof rack designed to transport two surfboards. There is also a fold-out seat for relaxing on the tailgate and a rack for hanging wetsuits to dry after surfing. The vehicle retains its original drivetrain, delivering 150 kW and 395 Nm of torque via the electric motor to the front wheels. While the range is decreased from the standard Soul EV’s 280 miles due to the tire upgrade, the 65 kWh battery should still provide ample energy for beach adventures.
However, a closer inspection reveals some questionable engineering decisions. To accommodate the wider stance, the vehicle features plastic universal fender flares that might remind one of those often seen on first-time Miata owners. Furthermore, there is an improvised solar panel attached to the roof rack, awkwardly bent into shape and secured with standard hardware fasteners.
Inside the vehicle, a generic charge controller is connected to a makeshift wooden platform that replaces the rear seats, holding the 12V battery. Loose wires are visible beneath the wooden boards and aluminum angles, which appear uneven and out of alignment. Additionally, there are remnants of oily smudges and randomly placed screws throughout the setup.
While the concept of a lifted, beach-ready electric vehicle is intriguing, it’s unexpected to see such a version presented to the public in this condition. It’s common for local dealerships to create similar vehicles for regional events, but it feels different when a major automaker promotes it on a global platform. The final result looks more akin to a high-school science fair project than a product from a leading car manufacturer.
That said, it’s commendable that automakers engage creatively with their pre-production models. The experience of customizing the Soul EV and taking it for a spin down the beach must have been enjoyable. However, it’s surprising to see a major car company publicly showcase a vehicle that appears in such a rough state. Typically, corporations aim to build a pristine image of quality and excellence, and attaching various parts from eBay to a pre-production vehicle seems to conflict with that objective. Given Kia’s recent design advancements, this kind of presentation is unexpected.
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