Kia Carens design sketches revealed ahead of debut

KUALA LUMPUR: After an absence of almost a decade, Kia is set to reintroduce the Carens for the developing markets. The global debut of the three-row SUV will happen on December 16 in India where the South Korean automaker is already selling the Seltos, Sonet, and Carnival. Before the D-day, Kia unveiled a few design sketches of the upcoming SUV, giving us an idea that how will it look.

Also read: All-new Kia Carnival: Key highlights

On the front fascia, the new Kia Carens gets sleek angular LED DRLs with a separate headlight cluster underneath. The front grille is also sleek and underlined by an LED strip. Unlike the grille, the trapezoidal airdam is large and provides a sporty look to the SUV. On the base of the car, we can notice black body claddings offering a rugged appeal. At the rear end, the MPV features an upright stance with LED tail lights connected by a light bar. 

“The Kia Carens perfectly embodies our latest design philosophy, ‘Opposites United’, and it successfully combines sportiness with a sophisticated personality and style with unique aesthetics,” said Kia, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Design Centre, Karim Habib

Inside, the three-row SUV will feature six or seven seats, just like the Hyundai Alcazar, as the two models share the same platform. The teaser sketch depicts a cabin featuring a huge panel covering the entire width of the dash. It is expected to get advanced features like a digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, connected car tech, ventilated front seats, auto parking brake, a panoramic sunroof, and more.

Kia is likely to offer the new Carens in two engine options - a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol generating a maximum power output of 159 PS and a 1.5-litre diesel mill good for making 115 PS. A 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic could be the gearbox options for both engines, 

“The Kia Carens is a true reflection of what today’s customers want from their three-row vehicles,” Habib added.

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