As we had reported earlier, Kia Motors India has been studying the possibility of bringing the Grand Carnival MPV to India. The model is now almost certain to be part of Kia’s India line-up by 2020. The Grand Carnival MPV (also known as Carnival and Sedona in some markets) was part of Kia’s expansive Auto Expo line-up and received a surprisingly positive response from showgoers. Sun Wook Hwang, senior general manager, marketing and PR, Kia Motors India, disclosed to Autocar India that the manufacturer’s market research indicates the MPV could sell over 1,000 units a month.
The Kia Grand Carnival is a five-door MPV that is available globally in seven-, eight-, nine- and even a unique eleven-seat configuration. For India, the seven-seat version seems most likely and the focus will be on middle-seat comfort. “In India, buyers are mainly chauffeur-driven. In the US and domestic market, there are many luxury features for the driver and co-driver. (For India) We want to setup luxury features in the second row, like a business-class seat,” Hwang said. Kia does offer a version of the Carnival with captain’s chairs for the middle row, with retractable footrests, and it’s likely this would be the configuration for India.
Being 5,115mm long, 1,985mm wide and 1,755mm in height, the Grand Carnival is significantly larger than the Toyota Innova Crysta (L: 4,735mm, W: 1,830mm, H:1,795mm). Speaking of the Carnival’s price and positioning vis-à-vis the Innova, Hwang said “The people’s expectations and our estimated retail price were close. The pricing would be a little bit higher than Innova. The Innova starts at Rs 19 lakh. Maybe we start from Rs 22 lakh – a Rs 2-3 lakh gap. The Innova is smaller and not as luxurious.” The Grand Carnival could be loaded with tech and equipment like dual-sunroof, three-zone climate control, front and curtain airbags and multiple USB charging ports.
Hwang also confirmed the Carnival for India will only be offered with a diesel engine. In international markets, the Carnival gets a 200hp, 2.2-litre diesel, though the final spec for India could change.
Hwang disclosed Kia is following a top-down approach for its MPVs in India, and is studying the Mahindra Marazzo before it decides on a smaller model.
The first Kia for India will be the production version of the SP Concept that will go on sale in 2019. The SUV will be followed by a compact SUV, which will get its reveal at Auto Expo 2020.
What do you think of the Kia Grand Carnival and its prospects in India? Let us know in the comments section below.
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