Kia is one of the few big-name automakers that will be attending the Auto Expo 2023. The company also seems to be ready to make it big with a few new unveils. The South Korean automaker Kia India is slated to debut the newest generation of its luxury MPV – the Carnival in the forthcoming India Expo Mart which will be held in Greater Noida U.P. from the 13th to the 18th of January. Reportedly the company will also be revealing its seven-seater SUV Sorento which it currently sells in the international markets in India at the Auto Expo as well.
The 2023 Kia Carnival’s completely new exterior design will be its main talking point. The vehicle has undergone a complete makeover and will now adhere to Kia’s current characteristic boxy SUV form. It will have the updated “tiger nose” grille from Kia with built-in cutting-edge LED headlights.
Brawny wheel arches and a prominent cutline connecting the front and back lamps will also be incorporated into the car. Large two-tone mirrors and black/chrome side panel moldings are additional features of the Carnival. It will receive a skid plate, reflectors, fully LED taillamps, and an entirely new rear bumper at the back. It will also have options for 17 and 19-inch wheels as well.
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Like the exterior the forthcoming Kia Carnival will boast an all new interior featuring a dual-tone Beige and Brown combination along with a brand-new dashboard with wood trim and two 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment system and instrument panel. The centre console will also have an all-new design. The multi-zone climate control, motorized sliding back doors, and dual sunroof configuration will remain standard on the brand-new Carnival. The luxury MPV will come with 7, 9, and 11 seating configurations.
As for the drivetrain options the company internationally offers the Carnival with the engine options of a 3.5L V6 MPi petrol, a new 2.2L Smartstream, and a 3.5L GDi V6 Smartstream. The 2.2L and 3.5L Smartstream motors produce 290 horsepower with 355 nm and 199 bhp with 440 nm, respectively, while the 3.5L petrol engine produces 268 bhp with 332 nm. The MPV is anticipated to come equipped with the current 2.2L diesel engine, which is capable of 200 horsepower and 440 Nm. This engine will come mated to 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Kia is also expected to unveil the 2023 Sorento at the Auto Expo. The fourth-generation Kia Sorento has been entirely redesigned, and has been revamped by Kia using styling cues from the Telluride, the brand’s premium SUV. Along with slimmer LED headlights, the Sorento also gets a bigger Tiger Nose black grille with chrome surrounds on the front. Additionally, it receives an aggressive front bumper with uniquely stacked fog lights, and LED Daytime Running Lights.
The latest generation Kia Sorento’s interior will feature a 10.12-inch touchscreen infotainment system that will be mounted horizontally. The layered dashboard will have a mixture of silver and chrome trimmings, with the top piece being finished in black and the lower section in tan. The instrument cluster, which measures 12.3 inches and will be totally digital, controls will be mounted on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Large vertical AC vents will border the climate control area on the center console.
In terms of powertrain the Sorento could come with a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, a 1.6-litre turbo petrol with 2WD or a 4WD option, a 2.2-litre diesel with an eight-speed DCT and 4WD option. Upon launch the SUV might go against the likes of the XUV700 and Tata Safari and compete in the Rs 20-30 lakh range.
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