Kia has opened pre-bookings for the upcoming Carnival hybrid a week after it revealed details on the MPV in India. Expected to launch soon, the Kia Carnival’s strong-hybrid powertrain borrows the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Sorento but uses a more powerful electric motor. The Carnival hybrid variant will be available in the same Limousine+ trim, which is currently offered only with a diesel variant.
Kia Carnival hybrid: All you need to know
Offered with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid powertrain with a 6-speed AT
The Kia Carnival hybrid powertrain, as mentioned earlier, borrows the Sorento’s 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 180hp and 265Nm but uses a more powerful electric motor that develops 73.4hp and 304Nm (8.4hp and 40Nm more). The powertrain is paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission (AT).
The 193hp 2.2-litre diesel engine, currently offered with an 8-speed AT on the MPV, will continue alongside the strong-hybrid powertrain.
Exterior and interior design are unchanged, but it gets a couple of new features
Except for a new HEV badge on the tailgate, the Carnival hybrid’s exterior design is the same as the diesel version. It continues with a tiger-face grille, vertically stacked LED headlights with DRLs, powered sliding doors, 18-inch alloy wheels and connected LED taillights. Inside too, the 3-row MPV’s design is identical to the diesel version. What’s new is the virtual engine sound system, and retractable and height-adjustable seat-back tables with wireless phone chargers.
It continues with dual 12.3-inch screens, 3-zone climate control, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. Safety features include 8 airbags, Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), disc brakes on both ends, and a 360-degree camera.
The Carnival Limousine+ hybrid is expected to be priced at a premium over the diesel variant's Rs 59.65 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Dhruv Dhaka
Saptarshi Mondal
