01
The spark
Kia revealed the PV5 and I stopped seeing a passenger van. I saw a clean, modern platform ready to be reimagined — practical enough for daily life, capable enough for the road less travelled.
About
From vision to a real build
OPV5 began as a vision for what the Kia PV5 could become — a compact overland platform that bridges everyday usability, camper freedom, and expedition capability. It's no longer just a vision. We're building it, in the open.
BL
Photo coming soon
Founder
Brian Lyscarz
Concept Developer, Product Designer, Innovation Lead — 25+ years turning ideas into products, services, and businesses. Now turning OPV5 into a real one.
"I didn't see a van. I saw a platform. Now we're building it."
When Kia revealed the PV5, I saw more than a passenger van. I saw a platform for adventure, remote work, camping, family travel, and creative thinking. OPV5 started as a vision — renders, wraps, upgrade concepts. It is no longer just a vision. We are actively moving OPV5 from concept toward a real, drivable compact overland platform, and this site is where the build happens in the open.
02
What OPV5 is
The compact overlander, made real: a topo wrap, suspension lift, rugged wheels, a roof system, a front recovery bumper, integrated lighting, a lounge interior, a sleeping platform, and modular kitchen concepts — moving from render to hardware.
03
From vision to reality
OPV5 is an independent build. It's not affiliated with Kia, and some upgrades still live as visualizations while we source partners and parts. Follow along on the Build page as each piece moves from concept to installed.
Follow the build
A project in motion
OPV5 is being built in the open — decisions, design notes, wins and dead-ends. If you own a PV5, build vehicles, make parts, or just love the idea of a compact overlander, this is your invitation to come along. Read the build posts, follow the progress, and be first to know when new pieces land.