2024.06.05 Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Kids Adventure Squad: Wheelping for Family Happiness
Cars are no longer just a means of transportation; they are lifestyle partners that help families create joyful memories together. Hyundai understands this well, and Wheelping is a testament to that.
Have you ever imagined going camping with your kids? The thought of children happily running around a wide grassy field makes you want to pack up. However, family camping can be challenging. Without proper gear, you have to learn and buy everything, and even when you manage to set up, kids often complain, "There's nothing to do." Thus, one of the camping enthusiasts' wishes is a "campground with plenty for kids to do."
Hyundai understands these parental concerns. Listening to feedback from IONIQ 5 owners, widely recognized as a family leisure EV, Hyundai researched how electric vehicles could enhance leisure activities. This insight led to the creation of "Wheelping Season 5: IONIQ 5 Kids Adventure Squad," an event where families could enjoy various camping activities with the IONIQ 5, in celebration of Children's Day.
Wheelping, a blend of "Wheel" and "Camping," is an outdoor platform introduced by Hyundai in 2020 to provide easy camping experiences with Hyundai SUVs. The latest "Wheelping Season 5: IONIQ 5 Kids Adventure Squad" was the largest ever, with 200 families participating over four days (May 3-6) at the Jaen Waterfall Auto Camping Site in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province.
In celebration of Family Month, Hyundai aimed to demonstrate that its electric vehicles are ideal for family camping. Participants were IONIQ 5 owners or potential customers with children, fitting the Children's Day theme. With a participation fee of 70,000 KRW per team, families enjoyed easy camping with IONIQ 5, thanks to various sponsored camping gear, cooking equipment, and food and beverages.
The Wheelping adventure began with renting an IONIQ 5. Hyundai provided vehicles for interested customers. During the event, the weather in Yeoncheon was hot during the day (27°C) and cold at night (8°C). The IONIQ 5, equipped with V2L (Vehicle-to-Load), served as a cool refuge with its air conditioning during the day and a reliable power source for cooking equipment and electric blankets at night.
Upon arrival, tents were already set up, showcasing Hyundai’s thoughtful consideration for the participants; Not everyone is good at pitching tents, apparently. Inside the tents were all the necessary items for Wheelping, awaiting the visitors. After a quick unpacking, families strolled around the campsite.
The campsite was filled with the laughter of children. Seeing them run around on the grass would have brought smile on everyone’s faces. Unlike other camping events, "Wheelping Season 5: IONIQ 5 Kids Adventure Squad" utilized the IONIQ 5's unique features to give kids missions. Completing these missions earned them camping supplies, fostering quality time between parents and children.
For instance, in the "Sizzling Cooking Class," kids could make pizzas using the IONIQ 5's V2L feature. After placing ingredients on car-shaped bread and baking it in a mini oven for 15 minutes, delicious pizzas were ready. Watching the kids focus on making beautiful pizzas made people happy.
In the grassy field, families were seen taking photos with the IONIQ 5 set up as a photo wall. It's rare to take family photos on trips, as the focus is usually on the children. But here, a professional photographer captured stunning family pictures, giving families lasting memories of Wheelping.
Cheers echoed from the "Vroom Vroom Wheelping Store," where parents and kids enjoyed go-karting on a track set up at the campsite. The karts, racing through the cool breeze, felt like amusement rides. Along the track, information about the IONIQ 5 was displayed like outdoor advertisements. After karting, families took an IONIQ 5 quiz at the Wheelping store to win food ingredients.
The campsite was filled with activities for kids. In the Wheelping playground, kids jumped and played continuously. Parents joined their kids in face painting and nature walks, enjoying the scenic backdrop of the Hantan River Dam.
Meanwhile, some relaxed with a cup of coffee, using the IONIQ 5’s V2L feature to power a capsule coffee machine and a circulator. The campsite transformed into a stylish open-air café, showcasing the practical use of V2L. It made people think of bringing a mini-fridge next time.
The gathering session before dinner was a hit, with dance time, ball tossing, and rolling games involving everyone. Parents and kids alike had fun returning to their childhood. The atmosphere was electric during the IONIQ 5 quiz, with everyone cheering and enjoying themselves. The lightheartedness continued as families returned to their spots, hand in hand, after the session.
As evening fell, the campsite was filled with the aroma of delicious food. Families used the IONIQ 5’s V2L to power electric grills and cook ramen. The V2L feature can supply up to 3.6kW of external power, higher than the typical household outlet’s 2.5kW, allowing for high-power appliances like electric grills.
<Wheelping Season 5: IONIQ 5 Kids Adventure Squad> allowed families to enjoy every moment. It felt like the perfect camping experience, with various events creating lasting memories and staff ensuring kids' safety. Hyundai demonstrated a deep understanding of their customers, many of whom are interested in outdoor activities using the V2L feature. Hyundai provided an excellent way for families to enjoy the outdoors together.
Cars are now lifestyle partners that help families create joyful moments. And Hyundai listens to customers, researching their needs and desires. Hyundai plans to continue hosting Wheelping events with new themes, spreading the joy of car-centered lifestyles. Many anticipate what new lifestyle experiences Hyundai will propose next.
Photography by Cho Hyuksoo
