KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Kia Carnival waiting list mounts
- Now reaching almost a year with deliveries underway
- Priced at Rs. 63.90 lakhs while retaining mechanics
The all-new Kia Carnival has been launched in the country and it comes at a significantly higher sticker price of Rs 63.90 lakhs. the hype around it seems to have no downward effect as the waiting time for the big MPV is already around 1 year mark. Currently delivering to the early customers, let's get more details out about the flagship MPV, but before that, make sure you don't forget to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel, specifically curated for all the avid petrolheads, just like us.
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Kia Carnival Almost Booked For Next Year
The Kia Carnival with this update has been nothing short of a big-time upgrade, not only in terms of features and looks but also in terms of its price tag now at par with even some German sedans. While the analogy is not perfect to draw in a general sense, for a cross-segment shopper's market like India, let's just put it out there. Now as for the waiting time, even after the price announcement, the demand continues with the same flare.
Kia India has been pleasantly surprised by the consumer response to the new Carnival. Despite a significant price hike compared to its predecessor, the new model has garnered substantial interest, with over 3,500 units of the previous generation sold in 2022. The Carnival is currently being assembled at Kia India's Anantapur plant using semi-knocked-down kits. The company's current production capacity for the MPV stands at around 300 units per month. To meet the increasing demand, Kia India is exploring options to ramp up production and has requested additional kits from its headquarters as per the latest reports. Hardeep S. Brar, Head of Sales and Marketing at Kia Motors India, expressed optimism about the model's performance, highlighting the strong booking numbers and the absence of cancellations post-price announcement.
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Engine Details
The Kia Carnival continues to be powered by a robust 2.2-liter diesel engine, delivering 187PS and 440Nm of torque. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival has also undergone a size increase, with a 30mm longer wheelbase, resulting in a more spacious and comfortable cabin.
Verdict
The updated Kia Carnival now sits at a high ground where it surpasses the Innova sisters by almost double the pricing, whereas undercuts the more premium Toyota Vellfire by an even bigger amount. However, going by the demand that it currently witnesses, it looks like people were waiting for just that to happen.
