KIA Carens iMT diesel variant is going to launch soon in India. The upcoming variant has been homologated with new 5-seater variants.
- Carens new iMT diesel variant homologated
- To get new base variants with a 5-seater cabin option
- 1.4-lt turbo-petrol to be replaced by the new 1.5-lt engine
KIA India is soon going to update its Carens model in India. The new update will make it withstand the new upcoming RDE norms. Hence, a new 1.5-lt turbo-petrol engine is being introduced. Additionally, a new iMT diesel variant & two new base models with a 5-seater option will be launched. Read more details on the KIA Carens iMT diesel variant below.
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KIA Carens iMT Diesel & New Base Variants - Details
KIA has got NCT-type approval for these new variants. As per the documents, two new base variants will be included. These are called M-Drive & P-Drive. The M-Drive is a diesel variant with the same 1.5-lt turbo-diesel engine as on the Seltos. It will get a 6-speed MT gearbox and the option of a 5-seater cabin as well. Additionally, the P-Drive variant is a petrol version with a 1.5-lt NA engine & a 6-speed MT gearbox. This model will also be offered in a 7 as well as a 5-seater layout. Currently, the Prestige is the base model in Carens lineup. With the M-Drive & P-Drive; new base models will undercut the current pricing as well.
Meanwhile, a new diesel iMT variant will also be added. It is also homologated as M-Drive, hence, we expect it to be a base model. But, KIA might be eyeing chauffer-driven customers who prefer a long-haul machine. Thus, the iMT makes sense. Also, the taxi market will get benefit from clutchless shifts and diesel cost savings altogether. Mind you, its direct rival Maruti Suzuki Ertiga doesn't have an option of a diesel engine. Hence, new variants will eventually end up creating more customers for Carens.
Verdict
Each manufacturer is updating their products to meet the deadline of new RDE norms. The new emission norms will imply from April'23. Hence, the Carens MUV has been updated with RDE-compliant engines and new variants. As these are new base models, we expect that their pricing will be less than the current Prestige version. We're expecting the launch of the updated model in the coming days.
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