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2015 Kia Carnival unveiled

The 2015 Kia Carnival people mover has been unveiled in New York as the Korean brand finalises its design transformation across its model range.


The new Kia Carnival, which has dropped the “Grand” from the previous model’s badge and is referred to as the Kia Sedona in other markets, will launch in Australia late this year or very early in 2015. Apart from the all-new shape, the package highlight will be the 3.3-litre V6 engine that replaces the 3.5-litre V6 found in the previous generation Grand Carnival.

The new 3.3-litre engine pumps out a healthy 205kW (at 6,000 rpm) of power and 336Nm (at 5,200 rpm) of torque. The 2.2-litre turbo diesel of the current model will carry on for the Australian market. Both engines will be coupled to a six-speed automatic.

The third-generation Kia Carnival, which replaces the eight-year old Grand Carnival, is built on an all-new chassis that sees class leading static torsional stiffness thanks to its newly designed body that is made up of 76 percent ultra high strength (press hardened) or high strength steel.

One of the challenges facing the Korean brand was designing the new Kia Carnival inline with Peter Schreyer’s (Kia’s head of design) design language, which has helped Kia’s global growth aspirations since it began in 2009.

Schreyer had previously stated that he wanted the new Kia Carnival to look like the sort of vehicle you’d want to drive, not one which you’re forced to drive simply because of its seating capacity (eight-seat configuration only for Australian market).

From the outside the Carnival takes many design directions from the recently launched and smaller Kia Rondo people mover as well as the Sorento SUV.

In terms of size, the new Kia Carnival’s wheelbase is now 406mm longer than before, with the people mover measuring 5156mm (length) by 1984mm (width) by 1740mm (height).

Inside, Kia says the new Carnival provides more front shoulder and legroom, while the second and third row also benefit from greater leg (measurements at the bottom). The hip-point is also marginally higher.

The centre console is a change from the previous model with the gearstick moved further down, while offering storage space between the two front seats.

A high-powered 2.1 AMP USB port will now allow charging of devices such as an iPad at full rate, while a power outlet (115-volt AC in North America) will allow charge for small electronic devices (this feature is yet to be confirmed for Australian-delivered vehicles)

The Kia Carnival will also be available with a unique fabric technology that provides anti-microbial protection from spills, anti-static protection from electrical shocks and kid-friendly stain-repelling and stain-releasing fabric characteristics.

In North America, the Kia Carnival will be available with a UVO Infotainment & Telematics system that offers Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score systems that can help owners better track their Carnivals movements.

Unfortunately those features will not be available for Australian-delivered vehicles, however the new Carnival does gain forward collision and blind spot warning systems, active cruise control as well as rear cross traffic alert. Active safety features that were first introduced on the updated Kia Optima earlier this year.

Kia Australia is yet to determine pricing and features for the new Carnival, thought it’s likely to maintain the existing Grand Carnival’s price range of $38,990 to $59,990 in a three spec configuration across the petrol and diesel engine range.

Local tuning for the new Carnival will start around September, making it the only people-mover in Australia that is specifically tuned for our roads.

2015 Kia Carnival specifications:
BODY & CHASSIS

  • Layout: Front engine, front-wheel drive
  • Seating: 7 passenger or 8 passenger seating
  • Body Type: Steel unibody

Suspension:

  • Front:MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar, Amplitude Selected Damper.
  • Rear: Multi-link with struts, coil springs

Steering Type: Rack Mounted-MDPS with TCC (Torque Compensation Control)
Steering Ratio: 16:1

ENGINE

  • Type: 3.3-litre V6 GDI, aluminium heads and aluminium block - 3,342 cc, DOHC, four valves/cylinder
  • Bore x Stroke (mm): 92mm x 83.8 mm
  • Compression Ratio: 11.5
  • Horsepower: 205kW @ 6,000 rpm
  • Torque: 336 Nm @ 5,200 rpm

Transmission: Electronically controlled six-speed automatic, overdrive

BRAKES: Hydraulic, Power-assisted vacuum with Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)

  • Front: 11.9 in. vented discs brakes
  • Rear: 11.9 in. solid disc brakes

Other Control Systems

  • ESC (Electronic Stability Control), BAS (Brake Assist System)
  • HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), CBC (Cornering Brake Control)
  • ROM (Roll Over Mitigation)

TIRES/WHEELS

  • 235/65R-17 steel and alloy
  • 235/60R-18 alloy
  • 235/55R-19 alloy

DIMENSIONS

  • Overall length: 203 in.
  • Width: 78.1 in.
  • Height: 68.5 in.
  • Overhang, front: 37.6 in.
  • Overhang, rear: 43.3 in.
  • Leg room Front 43.1 in.
  • Leg room 2nd row: 41.1 in.
  • Leg room 3rd row: 34.8 in.
  • Head room front: 39.8 in.
  • Head room 2nd row: 39.4 in.
  • Head room 3rd row: 38.9 in
  • Shoulder room front: 63.9 in.
  • Shoulder room 2nd row: 63.1 in.
  • Shoulder room 3rd row: 59.4 in.
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