Reports: New Kia Carnival to Go on Sale in India This October as CBU
Kia is set to launch the all-new Carnival in India this October, initially as a fully-imported Completely Built Unit (CBU). This launch follows the mid-cycle facelifts of the Seltos and Sonet in the past year. The new Carnival showcased as the KA4 concept at the previous Auto Expo, is the facelifted fourth-generation model in Kia’s global lineup. However, India had only received the third-generation model until recently.
Launch Date: October 2024
Initial Availability: Fully-Imported CBU
Expected Price: Around Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom)
Local Assembly: To commence at a later date
The new Carnival, being a CBU, will attract heavy taxes, resulting in a higher price. Despite this, it is positioned as a more affordable luxury MPV compared to the Toyota Vellfire, which is priced between Rs 1.22-1.33 crore (ex-showroom).
The new Carnival features significant styling changes based on Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, embodying ‘Modern Boldness’. Key exterior updates include:
Front Design: More upright nose with a wide grille, L-shaped headlamps with integrated DRLs, and fin-like inserts with chrome treatment on the grille.
Bumper: Small air intake and faux brushed aluminium skid plate.
Side Profile: Largely unchanged with new alloy wheel designs inspired by Kia’s electric models like the EV5 and EV9.
Rear Design: Inverted L-shaped LED taillamps connected across the tailgate and a reprofiled bumper with a matte black and chrome fusion.
The interior of the new Carnival offers a luxurious experience with several high-tech features:
Twin-Screen Setup: 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Dashboard: Dual-tone design with yellow ambient lighting.
Seating Configurations: Options for 7, 8, or 9 seats with optional massage seats for the second row.
Smart Features: Updated digital key, ambient lighting, front and rear dash cameras, and a digital rearview mirror.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Forward and rear collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision-avoidance assist, rear parking assist, lane assist, and more.
Safety: Eight airbags and a 360-degree camera.
Globally, the Kia Carnival is available with two engine options:
3.5-Liter V6 Naturally Aspirated Petrol Engine
Hybrid Powertrain: 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine combined with a 54 kW electric motor.
In India, the Carnival is expected to continue with the existing 2.2-liter diesel engine producing 197 bhp and 440 Nm of peak torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
The new Kia Carnival's launch in October promises to bring a blend of luxury and advanced features to the Indian market, continuing Kia's trend of offering premium, well-equipped vehicles.
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