Kia to Launch 5 New Cars and SUVs in India - Carnival to New Carens

Kia Motors is getting aggressive with its product strategy for the Indian car market. The company plans to launch 5 new cars in the country in the next 16 months. This year, two more Kia utility vehicles including the new Carnival and the EV9 electric SUV will be in the country. Let's talk about these 5 upcoming Kia cars in detail - 

New Kia Carnival

The new-gen Kia Carnival will be launched in the country on October 3, 2024. The new model will come as a completely-built-up (CBU) model; however, Kia will start local assembly of the MPV at a later stage. It will be offered with a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine that produces 200bhp and 440Nm of torque. Transmission duties will be handled by an 8-speed 'Sportsmatic' automatic gearbox. 

The new Carnival MPV comes with a dual-screen setup and an optional 14.6-inch rear entertainment screen. It features a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and a 12.3-inch digital driver's display. The MPV gets revised controls for AC, new front & rear dash cameras, a digital rearview mirror, HUD and a rotary drive selector. 

New Kia EV9

Kia will also introduce the EV9 electric SUV in our market on October 3, 2024. This 3-row EV will be based on the brand's global Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which also underpins the EV6. It is likely to be brought via the CBU route. For people not in the know, Kia had showcased the EV9 closer-to-production concept at the 2023 Auto Expo. 

Kia will introduce the fully-loaded EV9 GT-Line AWD model, which is available with six-seat and seven-seat layouts. It is packed with a 99.9kWh battery pack and dual-motors offering 379bhp and 700Nm. It is claimed to offer an electric range of up to 445km. The Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD is claimed to achieve 0-100kmph in just 5.3 seconds before hitting a top speed of 200kmph. The battery can achieve 10-80% charging status in just 24 minutes using a 350kW charger. 

Kia Syros

The Korean automaker, Kia is testing a new compact SUV on the Indian roads. Rumoured to be called the Kia Syros, the new model will be positioned between the Sonet and Seltos. It will be marketed as a lifestyle SUV and features rugged and boxy design. The Kia Syros will come equipped with many advanced features like ventilated front seats, powered driver's seat, digital console, panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors, 360-degree surround view camera and others. The SUV will also come equipped with an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with features like adaptive cruise control, lane assist, automatic emergency braking, auto high beam and others. 

The Syros is likely to be offered with a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 118bhp and 172Nm of torque. Transmission choices could also include a 6-speed manual, a 7-speed DCT and a 6-speed iMT. It could also be the first Kia hybrid model in our market. An electric version of the small SUV is also under development, which is likely to be called the Kia Clavis. Also See - Kia Syros to Get More Premium Features than Sonet

Kia Carens Facelift & Carens EV

The popular Kia Carens MPV will receive a mid-life facelift in our market in the mid-2025. It will receive design changes and an upgraded cabin. The MPV is likely to receive an all-new front fascia, which will have resemblance with the Sonet and Seltos facelift. It will have a new grille, new headlamp setup and new LED connecting light bar. The cabin will receive major changes in the form of new dashboard layout with Sonet-like central console design. It is expected to get new features like a 360-degree surround view camera

Not just Carens facelift, Kia will also introduce an electric derivative of the Carens MPV in the Indian market. The electric MPV has already been spotted testing multiple times on the foreign land. The MPV will receive EV-specific design changes and shares styling cues from the upgraded ICE-powered sibling. It is expected to feature around 45-50kWh battery pack with a front-axle-mounted electric motor. The MPV is likely to offer an electric range of up to 400km on a single charge. 

Also See - New Maruti Dzire to Windsor EV - 9 Upcoming Cars Worth Waiting For