Kia India Private Limited has officially announced the discontinuation of the outgoing Carnival premium MPV in the Indian market. The decision was made by the company to make way for the upcoming fourth-generation Carnival, which was unveiled under the new name KA4 in India and now this model will be taking the place of the outgoing Carnival in India. The delisting of the model from Kia’s website confirms the end of the current Carnival’s production in the country.
According to reliable sources from Kia dealers, most of them had ceased accepting fresh orders for the outgoing Carnival since April, coinciding with the implementation of the BS6 Phase 2 emission norms. At present, only a few unsold units remain available at select outlets. The Carnival was locally assembled in India from CKD kits, catering to the demands of the Indian customers.
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In the near future, the Indian market will transition to the fourth-generation Carnival, which was unveiled as the KA4 MPV at the most recent Auto Expo. Since the third-generation model was still on the market at the time of the Auto Expo, Kia purposefully refrained from using the name Carnival to avoid confusing Indian customers. The fourth-generation Carnival, which was globally unveiled in June 2020, has been on the market for three full years and Kia has already started developing a mid-lifecycle upgrade that will be on sale in the first half of 2024. Launching this updated model of the fourth-generation Carnival in India will align the Indian market with the worldwide product lifecycle.
The upcoming KA4, as known internationally, will retain the name Carnival and is expected to be priced at a premium over the outgoing model. It will feature a bold design with muscular wheel arches, prominent cutlines connecting the front and rear lighting, large two-tone mirrors, and black/chrome side panel moldings. Additionally, it will sport a skid plate, reflectors, LED taillights, and a redesigned rear bumper. The KA4 will be offered with a choice of 17- and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, the fourth-generation Carnival KA4 will offer a completely revamped interior. It will boast two 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument panel, a brand-new dashboard with wood trim, and a dual-tone Beige and Brown color scheme. The center console will showcase a fresh design. Standard features will include multi-zone temperature control, motorized folding rear doors, and twin sunroofs.
In terms of safety, the KA4 will come equipped with an extensive range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These will include features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-Spot Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Parking Distance Warning-Reverse (PDW-R), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), and multiple airbags.
Regarding the drivetrain options, the international market offers the Carnival with a 3.5L V6 MPi petrol engine, a new 2.2L Smartstream engine, and a 3.5L GDi V6 Smartstream engine. The 3.5L petrol engine generates 268 bhp and 332 Nm of torque, while the 2.2L and 3.5L Smartstream engines produce 290 horsepower with 355 Nm and 199 bhp with 440 Nm, respectively. It is expected that the existing 2.2L diesel engine, capable of 200 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque, will be offered in India, coupled with an eight-speed automated transmission.
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