[TusharK]

Thanks to Abhinav Rohatgi for sending this image in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page!



The Kia Grand Carnival MPV has been spotted in Gurgaon, which suggests that Kia might be considering the model for India.

The Grand Carnival was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo along with other cars from Kia's global line up. It measures 5,115 mm in overall length, 1,985 mm in width and 1,755 mm in height, while its wheelbase is 3,060 mm. In the international market, this MPV is offered in 7, 8 and 11 seat configurations.

The Grand Carnival MPV has a large chrome grille up front flanked by sweptback projector headlights. The front bumper has chrome trim and an integrated skid plate as well as circular fog lamps. Unlike most MPVs in India, the Grand Carnival comes with sliding rear doors. It gets dual-tone interiors with a 3-spoke multi-functional steering wheel and a twin-dial instrument cluster.

Globally, the Grand Carnival is offered with a 3.3-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. The India-spec Grand Carnival is expected to get the latter. This 4-cylinder diesel engine produces 199 BHP @ 3,800 rpm and 441 Nm @ 1,750-2,750 rpm and comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Along with the Grand Carnival, the Stonic compact SUV is also being evaluated for India.

Link to Team-BHP News

[Akshitsi]

Shouldn't Kia be testing the ground with launching cheaper models such as the Rio or Picanto to appeal to a mass market rather than getting into a Niche market straightaway? For a fresh manufacturer, it is very essential how it positions itself. Not sure what image they will have with launching that. IMO, if marketed well, they can surely generate decent numbers.

[A M]

Launching expensive models first is a part of brand positioning. This move will position them as a premium brand which also makes mass market cars so they can price their models at a premium to the rest of the brands.

Just look at Jeep. They launched Grand Cherokee at Rs. 1 Crore which everyone dismissed as over-priced (rightly so) and foolishness on Jeeps part. They weren't able to sell many but that helped them to be in a position to price the Compass at a premium to the Creta (which itself is over-priced) and it changed the fortunes for FCA. On the other hand, Maruti had a hard time selling 10 lakh rupee cars for a very long time. It took them years to shun that image and be able to sell Ciaz and Baleno.

[DicKy]

With the focus on SUVs all along, there is a dearth of proper MPVs in India. Can't blame the manufacturers for that. Whenever a model comes in MPV form, or even a sliding door, everyone gives it a wide berth in favor of 'upmarket' sedans and SUVs.

But I do believe that, like how Innova won over everyone with it's practicality, there are many buyers who would rather go for a proper MPV, than a sedan or SUV, based on their usage and them not giving a damn about perceived image.

Not to say, the features list and comfort of these MPVs will be enough for buyers to look over the image thing.

Kia should definitely bring in the Grand Carnival, especially since it has a competent 2.2 diesel option.

It will also coax in others like Toyota, Honda, FCA, Ssangyong and VW to bring in their models.

(BTW, where IS Toyota? Shown the Hiace, gone. Shown the Alphard/Vellfire, gone.)

[volkman10]

Kia Grand Carnival in white spotted in India,







Source:

[BunnyPunia]

Sorry to spoil the party BUT all these imports are stationed at KIA's HQ in Gurgaon and are regularly used by their officials on a daily basis. Stand outside their office and you will see half the line-up being used around

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by BunnyPunia

Sorry to spoil the party BUT all these imports are stationed at KIA's HQ in Gurgaon and are regularly used by their officials on a daily basis. Stand outside their office and you will see half the line-up being used around

With Red Plates? I think these can be a great niche segment to start, there is virtually nothing beyond Innova. If they start CBU imports under the commercial category, these will be taxed at much low rate & can give them some serious numbers. Hope someone is thinking along those lines.

Though, given the past experience of their MD and the pictures of the factory, they will go after the mass volume products.

Originally Posted by BunnyPunia

Yes - the same plates were there in the cars we drove from Bangalore to their AP factory. And in the cars that some of the press guys have driven in the past month or so. Some of the though do have proper AP plates, some don't

PS: if they are testing, shouldn't the camouflage be there. Hope this helps

Ok, I am not aware of the law, but in my opinion, you cannot use Red plates for the extended period and in particular for your own use. Don't know under what category have they imported these either, by any chances can these be under Carnet?

Camouflage does make sense if they want to keep under wraps until the launch so your hunch appears correct, they may not have any plans to launch these.

[BunnyPunia]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

With Red Plates? I think these can be a great niche segment to start, there is virtually nothing beyond Innova. If they start CBU imports under the commercial category, these will be taxed at much low rate & can give them some serious numbers. Hope someone is thinking along those lines.

Though, given the past experience of their MD and the pictures of the factory, they will go after the mass volume products.

Yes - the same plates were there in the cars we drove from Bangalore to their AP factory. And in the cars that some of the press guys have driven in the past month or so. Some of the though do have proper AP plates, some don't

PS: if they are testing, shouldn't the camouflage be there. Hope this helps

[swiftdiesel]

These interiors will give our current MPVs a run for their money. I really hope Kia launch this Carnival/Sedona here. Check out the ingress space generated by those sliding doors! Also, the digital display for the aircon on the roof. Sweet! By the way, I love the Crysta's rear AC digital display too.

[karan561]

In the meanwhile;

Kia Sedona/Grand Carnival Recalled Over Potentially Dangerous Power Sliding Doors.

Source

[lurker]

here is a kia grand carnival review by pakwheels, what is noteworthy is that it has 4 rows of seats. And also look at the space on offer, no row is cramped.

https://youtu.be/XSFAPOQHACs

[Hayek]

Originally Posted by lurker

here is a kia grand carnival review by pakwheels

Thanks for posting this. Fantastic review - of a proper Team BHP standard. I have not seen any Indian program have such a comprehensive video review (Karan gets there, of course).

The car itself seems fantastic - in the segment of the Honda Odyssey. It’s certainly no Innova. It sells for ₹40 l PKR - which is INR 23 l. With our customs duties and taxes, a CBU will probably be ₹ 40l+ On the Road. May well be worth it.

[rrsteer]

Quite impressed with Grand Carnival. I do hope Kia launches this in India, there is certainly an unexploited market for such a vehicle.

OT: Whichever city the video was shot in, looks to have good infrastructure. It felt almost like Chandigarh, although quieter and with better and larger roads. Probably was Islamabad, which I am told is among the more beautiful cities of Asia.

[2cents]

Can't understand the idea behind this vehicle --- 4 rows, with 11 possible occupants!! Well, agreed that 11 people in an Amby is not so uncommon, but here we're talking of a car that screams premium. Can't figure who are the target customers! It can't be a family vehicle. Why would someone spend 30 lakhs on a car to travel like this, when they can easily buy two C+ sedans for this price. It can be a nice corporate vehicle to ferry visitors, but then the mid seats in 2nd and 3rd row and the entire 4th don't make sense. Besides, is it even safe?? What if there is an accident, or fire?? What are the chances for the third row occupants to get out safely???

[varunswnt]

Originally Posted by lurker

here is a kia grand carnival review by pakwheels, what is noteworthy is that it has 4 rows of seats. And also look at the space on offer, no row is cramped.

After checking this video, I stumbled upon Chrysler Pacifica minivan video review. Man, what stupendous space management both these cars have got. Even Honda Odyssey has some clever stuff built with their seats.

Check this Chrysler Pacifica video

https://youtu.be/_bjSS7aAXnA

In my opinion our market is yet to mature enough to get such kind of minivans which are supremely practical but would be complete nightmare to park and manoeuvre in our congested city spaces. For large country side family, fantastic option.