Kia India to launch 2 new cars on October 3, 2024

Kia Carnival and EV9 are the first OEMs to enter the MPV and electric SUV markets

Kia India plans to launch two new models before the festive season to strengthen its market presence. Currently, the company offers Sonet, Seltos, Carens and EV6 electric SUV. Now, two new models – Kia Carnival and EV9 – will debut on October 3, 2024. Carnival will join the MPV segment, while EV9 will enter the all-electric SUV segment.

Kia Carnival India launch date

Initially, the Kia Carnival will be brought in as a fully imported model and the company will later consider assembling it locally. Hence, it is expected to be priced around Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom). The Carnival is a facelifted fourth-generation model with a more exciting exterior design and more luxurious interiors. It will be available in multiple seating configurations including 7, 9 and 11-seater options.

The new Carnival will adopt Kia’s modern design language with a sharper front face, connected LED taillights and new alloy wheels. The interior will be equipped with a series of comfort and convenience features, including dual 12.3-inch displays, a 14.6-inch screen for second-row passengers, digital IRVM, head-up display, panoramic sunroof, electric ventilated seats, ambient lighting, digital rearview mirror, digital key with fingerprint recognition, and multi-zone climate control. Level 2 ADAS suite and eight airbags are also expected to be part of its safety package.

While the international model is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid unit and a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, the Kia Carnival in India is likely to continue to be powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that delivers 197 hp and 440 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed gearbox.

Kia EV9 SUV India launch date

The Kia EV9 will be the brand’s second electric car to be launched in India after the EV6. The 3-row SUV will arrive in India via the CBU route and will be the company’s flagship model, with an estimated price of over Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom). The Kia EV9 is built on the Born Electric e-GMP flexible skateboard platform, which underpins several models from Kia and Hyundai. The EV9 measures 5,010 mm in length, 1,980 mm in width, 1,755 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,100 mm. It will be available in standard and GT Line trims, and like the version in the international markets, the range on a single charge is estimated to be over 500 km.

The EV9 showcases state-of-the-art features across the globe, including dual 12.3-inch displays, a 14-speaker Meridian music system, a fingerprint sensor for driver seat settings, an illuminated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated seats for the second and third rows. Safety features are expected to include Level 2 ADAS, hill-start assist control, multiple driving modes, and a 360-degree camera.

Globally, the Kia EV9 offers three powertrain options: two single-motor RWD models and one AWD model with a dual-motor setup. The RWD model is equipped with a 76.1 kWh battery pack and a 215-horsepower electric motor, with a range of approximately 370 kilometers. The long-range model is equipped with a 99.8 kWh battery and a 201-horsepower single motor, with a range of 489 kilometers. There is also a dual-motor model with a power of 379 horsepower and a range of approximately 450 kilometers.

Given that the Kia EV9 will also be a complete vehicle, it is expected to be priced close to Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom). It will compete with other premium electric vehicles in India such as the BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.