Unveiled at the New York International Auto Show overnight, the all-new Kia Carnival has important work to do in Australia as the replacement for Australia’s best-selling people mover.
Kia says the all-new Carnival will be available in both seven-seat and eight-seat configurations and ramps-up technology, safety features and style. Expect the all-new Kia Carnival to be on-sale in North American late this year prior to Australian sales early in 2015.
Designed by a team headed by Peter Schreyer, the all-new Carnival looks brilliant and its introduction in New York means the entire Kia product range has now been re-designed by the acclaimed German stylist.
The cab-forward design is thoroughly modern and gives the latest Kia carnival a muscular look which is both clean and dynamic. The wheelbase is 40.6mm longer than the current model, wheel sizes range up to 19-inch alloys and the rear-end with LED tail-lights and standard roof spoiler looks impressive.
While width and height are largely unchanged from the outgoing model, clever design means the all-new Kia Carnival delivers more front shoulder room, increased leg-room in all three seating rows and high hip point which improves visibility for all occupants.
There’s a massive front centre console (families will appreciate that convenience) and the second and third row seats offer ‘Slide-n-Stow’ tracking for variable cargo loads. Second row seats also provide ‘First Class’ lounge settings with retractable lower leg rests.
Third row seats split-fold 60/40 and can be retracted into the rear floor when not in use.
In North America, the range-topping Kia carnival SXL comes with Nappa leather seats (the same Chromium-free ultra-soft leather found in Kia’s K900 prestige sedan).
All-new Carnival will be the first Kia to provide the next-generation UVO Infotainment and Telematics system which includes the Kia Apps store, Siri Eyes Free and Google Local Search.
Underneath the all-new Kia Carnival rides on a new platform which Kia says provides torsional stiffness 36 per-cent better than in its nearest MPV rival. There’s Amplitude Selected Dampers, an isolated rear sub-frame with longer trailing arms, revised bushings and extra rear strut reinforcement.
Power comes from Kia’s new 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine delivering 205kW/336Nm (identical to the current 3.5-litre engine) and driving through a six-speed automatic transmission.
On the safety technology front, the all-new Kia Carnival boasts some handy new additions – Vehicle Stability Management, Forward Collision Warning System, Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
A Surround View Monitor makes parking straight-forward and, once parked, a hands-free ‘Smart Tailgate’ eases loading/unloading.
Kia Australia is currently negotiating local specifications and pricing.
