KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Carens to get manual transmission for diesel powertrain
- iMT gearbox to get discontinued
- To be offered in six different variants
Kia Carens is soon going to get a major update in India. The MPV will get a manual gearbox once again with the diesel engine option. The current model gets only an iMT automatic, which will be discontinued soon. Read all of the known details and the prices of the variants below. Also, you can join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group below for the latest automotive updates.
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Kia Carens Diesel Manual Gearbox: Variants and Prices
| Variant Name | iMT Pricing (ex-showroom) | Manual Pricing (ex-showroom) | Difference |
| Premium | Rs 12.65 lakh | Rs 12.67 lakh | Rs 2,000 |
| Premium (optional) | - | Rs 12.90 lakh | New variant addition |
| Prestige | Rs 13.95 lakh | Rs 14 lakh | Rs 5.000 |
| Prestige Plus | Rs 15.45 lakh | Rs 15.47 lakh | Rs 2,000 |
| Luxury | Rs 16.95 lakh | Rs 17.15 lakh | Rs 20,000 |
| Luxury Plus | Rs 18.15 lakh | Rs 18.15 lakh | No change |
As shared above, the new manual transmission will be more or less similarly priced as the iMT variants. The current model comes with only an iMT automatic or a torque converter automatic transmission option for the diesel powertrain.
With this major update, the Carens will now get six variants. All of these variants will be available with the manual transmission instead of an iMT. The iMT gearbox is likely to be discontinued with this update. Its direct rival, Maruti Suzuki XL6, is only sold with a petrol engine option with manual and automatic gearbox options.
Why Manual Transmission Is Coming Back?
The Kia Carens remains the only MPV in its segment that has the option of a diesel powertrain. The popularity of its grunt-rich 1.5-lt, turbo-diesel engine is visible through its sales. In fact, the cab operators have now started opting for the Carens because of its diesel engine availability. While the iMT gearbox has no issues, it still takes time to learn. Probably, the market feedback has enticed Kia to bring back the manual transmission.
The current model comes with the same engine as we see on the Seltos. This engine generates a peak power of 113 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque. The new manual transmission will be a 6-speed unit which will help in gaining better fuel efficiency figures than its automatic counterpart. The 6-speed torque converter AT will remain unchanged with this update.
Verdict
Carens is sold with petrol, turbo-petrol, and turbo-diesel options which makes it a practical and utility friendly MPV for big families. The options of 6 and 7 seats is an addition in this practicality. With the manual transmission making a comeback, we think that the chauffer-driven customers and the cab operators will be attracted more as compared to the iMT option.
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