The up to date 2024 Kia Carnival would be the first electrified entrant in Australia’s mainstream folks mover class, with a turbocharged hybrid drivetrain confirmed for an introduction later this 12 months.
Normal supervisor for product at Kia Australia, Roland Rivero, instructed CarExpert the Carnival HEV is a positive starter for our market – simply don’t anticipate it in excessive volumes from launch.
“Provide shall be very restricted as per Sorento HEV,” Mr Rivero stated. “Therefore, anticipate one trim solely.”
“Adjustments shall be just like Sorento PE (Product Enhancement) upgrades. Count on all options which didn’t arrive for launch to be added, and anticipate a retune of journey and dealing with,” Mr Rivero added.
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Abroad fashions pictured
Mr Rivero’s feedback point out that we are able to anticipate the Carnival HEV to reach as a single high-spec variant within the vary, seemingly based mostly on the prevailing Platinum flagship and commanding a $2500-4000 premium over the diesel.
Contemplating the present Platinum 2.2D is priced from $71,890 drive-away, a brand new Platinum 1.6T HEV ought to come within the mid- to high-$70,000 bracket factoring in value rises that may little question include the facelifted vary.
Energy within the Carnival Hybrid comes from the identical 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid drivetrain because the associated Sorento, which gives system outputs of 169kW and 350Nm. A six-speed automated sends drive to the entrance wheels, in comparison with the eight-speeder in V6 and diesel variations.
Korean specs quote mixed cycle gas economic system of seven.1-7.4L/100km, which barely betters the diesel. Given the Aus-spec Carnival 2.2D quotes 6.5L/100km on the ADR cycle (based mostly on the older NEDC testing regime), the HEV could possibly be nearer to six.0L/100km – and the hole would widen with heavier use in city areas.
Past the introduction of an electrified drivetrain, the brand new Carnival will lastly get options lacking from Australian-spec fashions akin to rain-sensing wipers, a digital instrument cluster, and the model’s Blind Spot View Monitor.
Affirmation of a revised journey and dealing with tune means the Carnival ‘PE’ can have a totally localised calibration, in comparison with the outgoing mannequin which had an Australian suspension tune however not an area steering map resulting from challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional, the brand new Carnival will choose up Hyundai and Kia’s new ccNC infotainment setup with twin 12.3-inch shows and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, whereas native variations will lastly introduce Kia Join telematics and on-line providers.
Utilizing the brand new Sorento as a information, costs might rise between $3000-4000 because of this throughout the vary. Count on extra commonplace gear from the bottom grade to assist offset the elevate considerably.
The Kia Carnival was by far Australia’s favorite folks mover in 2023, racking up 11,312 registrations for the calendar 12 months.
Inside Kia’s personal vary, it was the second best-selling nameplate regionally behind the Sportage SUV (15,747 items).
Kia’s common MPV held an astonishing 82.4 per cent share of the mainstream folks mover class underneath $70,000, outselling the second positioned Hyundai Staria by practically 10 to 1 (1141 items).
That’s all regardless of Kia Australia being hampered by provide challenges all through the period of 2023, brought on by part shortages for larger grades, and even a stop-sale of V6 petrol variations resulting from excessive world demand for the engine unit.
Little question with the introduction of the up to date vary together with a hybrid, demand is barely more likely to enhance. Keep tuned for the newest within the lead-up to the brand new Carnival’s native launch within the coming months.
