New Kia Grand Carnival's design overhaul | CarAdvice

Car Advice
  • Home
  • »  New Kia Grand Carnival’s design overhaul

New Kia Grand Carnival’s design overhaul

KIA GRAND CARNIVAL
By Alborz Fallah
FIND DEALS

The current Kia Grand Carnival remains as one of the last key Kia models to get a design update, leaving the Korean company with enormous expectations to deliver yet another elegant design.

Since former Audi designer Peter Schreyer was appointed chief design officer in 2006, the company has transformed its image from a budget Korean manufacturer to a world-class marque with trend setting designs. With cars like the Optima, Cerato, Sportage and Sorento gaining huge worldwide momentum over the past few years, the time is approaching for a Grand Carnival replacement.

The problem remains, how do you make a people mover look good? CarAdvice spoke with Peter Schreyer in Geneva last week about the future of the Grand Carnival and whether or not SUVs have replaced people movers (MPVs) for the masses.

“I think there is a shift that way, definitely [but] I think there is still a demand for cars like [Grand Carnival]” he said.

Schreyer was quick to point out that the next-generation Kia Grand Carnival will not be a people mover that is bought just out of necessity. “I want to get away from that atmosphere that you only buy MPVs if you have to. I want to do them in a way that it’s cool to have one. I think that it can be cool.”

The German born designer, who helped design the original Audi TT as well as well as the Volkswagen New Beetle and numerous Audis (previous generation A3, A4 and A6) is confident that the new Grand Carnival will be an attractive vehicle.

He said the Kia KV7 Concept (revealed at last year’s Detroit motor show and pictured here) gives hints as to what the next-generation Grand Carnival will look like.

“KV7 concept was an attractive example for a car like [Grand Carnival]. I think a real production car still needs refinement and KV7 was very compact so we need to see, because a Grand Carnival needs to be considerably longer. That kind of design could still fit that kind of car – the concept showed that you can make an attractive van” Schreyer said.

We suspect the next-generation Kia Grand Carnival will arrive in 2013, given the current model has been on sale since 2006.

  • Daniel

    Haha, the story title made me laugh. I think they can do it though. The pictures look good and other companies are making good looking people carriers, so why not Kia?

  • Robin_Graves

    World class marquee? Is that where all the clowns hang out under the big top? They ended up finally making the soul look good with that race concept, maybe they can make a van desirable.

  • Bachman Turner Overdrive

    I think Kia can make a people mover look good. Kudos for the recent Kia design… Toyota needs to hire decent designers, most of its products look like they where designed by a committee of drab grey suited men.

  • Weatherbey

    Reminds me somewhat like an attempt at the Evoque with the lights treatment and the clamshell bonnet…

  • Appgrad95

    I really like the KV7 concept.  It is exactly what I am looking for now for my family.

  • Sumpguard

          I can’t wait to see what he does with the Carnival and the next gen Cerato and Sorento or for that matter how he will improve on the current Sportage and RIO.

       I know the badge snobs won’t give a toss but a year on and I still look forward to every drive of my Sportage and people still comment. Schreyer and his design team are definately doing something right.

         The big question is why don’t the Japs have designers with this guy’s vision? Money isn’t a problem for toyota I wouldn’t think!  Everyone wants cool, but many buyers have to put function first.  The current Carnival is proof of that. It’s dull to look at but serves its intended function very well. He’s dead right about combining style and function. KIA’s growth is proof of that!

          

  • Phil

    Imagine how flooded with articles CA would be if they showed design sketches for every upcoming car.

    So why do they do it for every Hyundai model? – new i30, Sante Fe, Carnival, Veloster etc……..other car manufacturers would love to get that much free exposure.

    Oh wait, John Cadegon – CA editor has secondary employment as a Hyundai Media Adviser….

    • http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah

      Incorrect on both accounts, Phil.

      Those are not sketches but concept photos from last year. And J.Cadogan has been replaced as editor a good five months ago.

      Our relationship with Kia and Hyundai has never been any different than our relationship with any other manufacturer, except that the Koreans embrace the web whilst many (who will go unnamed) still think buyers read the newspaper and the web is a fad.

      • MattP

        Well said Alborz

      • Phil

        Did Hyundai’s Media Consultant actually leave CA though? According to your employment information, he merely moved into a “newly created position” (how convenient).

        Certainly he was observed working for Hyundai AND publishing articles on Hyundai  at CA concurrently during his time as ‘official’ editor.

        • JayKay

          Will you just leave it.  You come across as a tosser.

          • Phil

            Don’t worry, there won’t be any more on this subject on this particular page. I brought this up before – they do not like to admit that their “independent” “Car Advice” organisation actually has Hyundai employee(s) working inside.

            Only a tosser would think that wasn’t a conflict of interest.

  • DWS1

    They already sell a lot of Carnivals based on the value, – if they make it look this good, they will have a huge seller.

  • ?????????

    That Body style makes no sense for a People Mover / MPV. Firstly the Bonnett is to long, these types of the vehicles are best suited to short bonnets to give maximum internal space for room in the Garage. Shorter nose on that shape will make it look like the VW Combi Concept that was floating around a couple of years ago, not bad but very close in design shape (possibly a carry over from Mr Schreyer).
    Kia want to make something that will sell globally as a desired vehicle? Want to make it value buying for Queenslanders? Make it a token Hybrid. (like Lexus “H” range) slightly underpowered normal IC engine with an electric assist unit, sell it as a green alternative (though it uses more fuel that the economy models from competitors) and it will be the consciuos buy for families with the aided benefit of being Stamp Duty Exempt…..

  • andrea ryan

    I absolutely love my KIA Carnival.  use it for people moving and camping and moving feed for the horses.  Very adaptable.  The only complaint I have is the cost to fix things.   Like clutch – take out most of the junk under the bonnet to replace it!!!!!   and the cost!!!!!   But I would buy another if it was as good.

    • Aussiechevalier

      One thing better would be to be able to fold down the middle seats completely like the third row.