[Omkar]

Big shoutout to Chetan_Rao for shooting these pictures & his coverage of the Auto Expo. Thanks for sharing, man!

A lot was happening at the Kia paddock on the first day. The Korean manufacturer committed an investment of Rs 2000 crore for the development of sustainable mobility:


Kia had a couple of new unveils and also had its current product portfolio on display:


The next generation Carnival will most likely launch later this year. Click here for our detailed report:

Kia EV9 concept electric SUV

The EV9 concept electric SUV was also unveiled in India. It will launch in the international markets this year:


Very futuristic, very bold. The front end does have a hint of the tiger face that Kia tries to include in its designs:


It is based on the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), which is Kia's EV-dedicated platform that also underpins the EV6. The EV9 measures 4,930 mm in length, 2,055 mm in width, and 1,790 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,100 mm:


A very plain-looking rear as compared to the front:


Camera-based ORVMs:


Massive panoramic sunroof looks great for stargazing:


These 22-inch wheels look massive. Interesting triangular alloy wheel design contrasting the circular wheel:


On the inside, you get a 27-inch ultra-wide display and plenty of futuristic elements:


Kia also announced that it would enter the purpose-built vehicle segment with the Carens. One of the examples that you see here is that of an Ambulance:


Bright livery across the vehicle to let everyone know that this is an emergency vehicle:


Since these vehicles are supposed to be affordable, you can expect them to be available in base trims:


The cabin has been modified to fit all the medical equipment needed in an ambulance:


Here's a look at the police car:


Very french police like livery on this demo car:


This car will be powered by the 113BHP, 1.5-litre diesel engine:


The Kia stall also had an EV6 experience corner. You had to balance the board to drive the car:


Some exclusive Kia merchandise:


Shows how Kia has got a hang of the Indian car market right from their first car:


Kia India plans to tie up with specialized NGOs and aim to collect and recycle 2,500-tonne plastic. Further, plans are to create a social impact through afforestation. Under this project, the brand plans to support farmers affected by natural disasters with the plantation of fruit trees to secure their livelihood:


Apart from this, Kia had all of its product lineup on display. Here's an EV6 AWD variant:


It has a claimed 0-to-100 km/h of just 3.5 seconds:


Also on display was the Seltos GT-line:


Available with a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine or a 1.5-litre diesel engine:


The X-Line is the new top-end variant of the Seltos:


You get a Matte Graphite exterior colour and 18-inch diamond-cut Matte Graphite alloy wheels on this variant:


The Seltos X Line is available with a choice of either the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 138 BHP and 242 Nm or the 1.5-litre diesel unit that makes 113 BHP and 250 Nm:

[Omkar]

The regular Carens on display:


It shares its underpinnings with the Seltos:


The Kia Carens is available with three engine options. These include a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 113 BHP and 144 Nm, a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol with 138 BHP and 242 Nm, and a 1.5-litre diesel that puts out 113 BHP and 250 Nm:


Here's a look at the 2022 Sonet. It has some feature updates as compared to the older car:


It now gets ESC, VSM, Brake Assist, and Hill Assist Control as standard on the iMT variants:


The Sonet now gets side airbags and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) which will be standard across all variants:

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[SJ1211]

Not Sure if Kia missed an opportunity by not showcasing the 2023 New Gen Seltos or is it being planned for a massive launch in H2 2023.. would have been good to create a buzz from the start!

[shibujp]

No information on the new 1.5 litre GDI engine that is rumoured to replace the current 1.4 litre powerplant. I expected that KIA would have put out something in this regard at the Expo.

Drive on,
Shibu

[nfsfreak]

Thanks @Omkar.

Originally Posted by Omkar

The next generation Carnival will most likely launch later this year. Click here for our detailed report:

I dont see the link to detailed report.

Any specific dates/timelines for new Carnival launch?
If it's later this year - not sure if they're planning to sell the existing model till then but it may not make much sense if its only for few months - as people mostly would opt to wait given the drastic changes in the platform itself.
I was planning to book last December, but waited for this Auto Expo on news about this updated version.

I was also expecting Sorento to be launched this time (7 seater - XUV700/Safari competitor positioned between Seltos and Carnival). Looks like it will be for next year then?

[Aditya]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

I dont see the link to detailed report.

Link added. Please have a look.

[Omkar]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

Any specific dates/timelines for new Carnival launch?
If it's later this year - not sure if they're planning to sell the existing model till then but it may not make much sense if its only for few months - as people mostly would opt to wait given the drastic changes in the platform itself.

From what Chetan gathered talking to the Kia people at the event, they will probably sell the outgoing model alongside the new Carnival for a few months.

The outgoing Carnival has been phased out internationally, and India is the only country where it is on sale currently (according to Wikipedia). So, most likely it won't be long before it gets phased out of India as well.

[CEF_Beasts]

Kia Carens wins the ICOTY 2023 award! I was expecting the Mahindra Scorpio N to win this one considering the radical revolution it has undergone compared to the previous generation Scorpio, in terms of almost everything (space, comfort, powerful engines, features and safety)

[bullitt1]

With the success Kia has had here, they should have displayed the Sportage and Stinger, probably evaluate too.

[diwakarmuthu]

There was some chatter about Sorento display either in ICE or Hybrid variant. No noise on it from KIA in the Auto Show 2023. Probably they could have got some of their other SUVs just for evaluation purposes. Maybe the sales of Seltos, Karens, Sonet are making them focus on the current products and not on the future.

Any one thinks they will start making or assembling Carnival in India. Would that bring the prices down to some extent?

[SubhoMoto]

Quite a half hearted show by Kia at the expo.
Only thing I felt interesting at their stall was the EV9 concept. All others were just their regular product lineup����. Not to mention the repeated announcement of Carens being awarded the "car of the year" and EV6 the "green car of the year".