Kia is set to launch the Carnival MPV and EV6 in India on October 3. Ahead of the launch, the automaker revealed that it will open the booking window for the Carnival on September 16. The token amount for booking the Kia Carnival has been set at Rs 2 lakh. Certain dealerships have already started taking bookings for the upcoming MPV.
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Table of Contents
Kia Carnival MPV: What to expect
The India-spec Kia Carnival is expected to come with two powertrain options. The entry-level LX trim will be powered by a 3.5-litre V6 GDI petrol engine that produces a maximum power output of 287hp and 352Nm of torque. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The top-spec variants of the MPV will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo hybrid engine that produces a maximum power output of 242hp and 367Nm of torque. This engine is linked to a 54kWh battery and a six-speed automatic transmission.
Inside, the Kia Carnival will get a twin display unit for the infotainment system and the digital instrument cluster. Each panel will span 12.3 inches. This display unit extends to the centre of the dashboard. The top-spec trims of the MPV will get individual entertainment screens for rear-seat passengers. Other features include power sliding rear doors, electronically adjustable second-row captain seats, a dual-pane sunroof, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, wireless charging, a Level 2 ADAS package with 23 autonomous features, and more.
In terms of design, the new Kia Carnival is radically different from its outgoing version. The L-shaped LED headlamp and DRL setup give the MPV a refined yet bold look. The grille on the facelift is larger in size and rocks chrome inserts. The alloy wheels get a few design tweaks as well. The LED tail lamps mimic the design of the DRLs. The tail lamps are connected by a sleek light bar.
Kia EV9, which is set to launch alongside the Carnival, is offered in three powertrain options internationally. The entry-level RWD model has a 76.1kWh battery pack. This is followed by the 99.9kWh battery pack variant. The top-spec model gets AWD and two electric motors.
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Conclusion
Kia Carnival was discontinued in India last year due to its failure to comply with emission norms. The facelifted version of the MPV will be a CBU import and could fetch more than Rs 50 lakh. The automaker plans to start the local assembly process for the MPV by the end of 2024. As a result, its prices will go down next year. Due to its unique pricing, the Kia Carnival will not have any direct rivals in India.
