New Kia Carnival, EV9 India Launch On October 3

Korean carmaker Kia will be launching its new-generation Carnival and EV9 on October 3, multiple reports have confirmed. While the former is making a return after getting discontinued last year, the latter will mark its debut and sit above the EV6. This comes as a part of the brand’s plan to introduce three cars this calendar year, including the Sonet facelift launched in January. The latest additions will extend Kia’s stable to six.

2024 Kia Carnival

Kia will bring the fourth-generation Carnival, showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo, to our shores. Exterior updates include Kia's ‘Tiger Nose’ grille with a diamond pattern flanked by sleek headlights. Further, the Kia logo has moved to its sculpted hood besides a faux skid plate and chrome finish for the lower air intake. 

The cabin now gets two 12.3-inch digital displays, including a driver’s display, three-zone climate control, wireless charger. We expect it to sport a nine-seat configuration owing to its longer wheelbase and rear overhang. Powertrain duties are to be handled by the familiar 2.2-litre diesel motor belting out 197 bhp and 440 Nm of pull force.

Kia EV9

The EV9 will be Kia’s first three-row EV in India, boasting its signature 'Opposites United' design harmonising contrasting qualities of nature, modernity and technology. Underpinned by the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), space is abundant in this SUV because of its flat floorboard and 3,100 mm wheelbase. Similar to Kia’s smaller EV6, the EV9 is likely to be brought via the CBU route. 

Overseas, it gets a 99.8 kWh cell pack in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) format. It also has a GT-Line variant that the automaker may skip bringing to the domestic market. Considering CBU costs, the arrival of EV9 RWD is anticipated, capable of making a maximum torque output of 350 Newton metres. The 149.5 kW motor can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 9.4 seconds and has a WLTP driving range of up to 563 kilometres.

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