More power and seats standard in New Year Carnival

Kia has launched a new model of its successful Carnival people mover.

Dubbed the Grand Carnival, the all-new vehicle went on sale on January 1. Larger, than the Carnival it replaces, the big news is in the new Grand Carnival's engineroom. Gone is the 2.5-litre 132kW/220Nm V6 of the old model, replaced by a muscular 184kW/343Nm 3.8-litre six-pot.

Mated to a tiptronic-style five-speed auto, the new variable valve-timed DOHC engine powers the Grand Carnival to a 0-100 time of 10.5sec. In-gear acceleration is also greatly improved claims Kia.

Perhaps of more interest to buyers in this segment, however, is the extra seat the Grand Carnival offers. Kia claims the Grand Carnival has room for eight adults, with nearly a cubic metre of boot space with all three rows of seats occupied.

The rear-most bench of the Grand Carnival folds away into the luggage compartment floor while the second row bi-folds forward to liberate 3.1 cubic metres of space. Both rows are also removable.

Fully-equipped with cruise control, ABS brakes, air conditioning, remote central locking, electric windows, power steering, twin front airbags, roof rack and tinted glass, the Grand Carnival is priced from $36,990 driveaway. This is $7000 more than the Carnival.

The Grand Carnival features new styling and has been changed under the skin as well. rear suspension is a new multilink design. The front suspension, while retaining the McPherson Strut layout, is all-new with a newly optimized front geometry and a new hydroformed subframe for better noise and vibration control.

Kia says the Grand Carnival builds on the existing vehicle's five star US-NCAP rating. Front side airbags and full length window bags are an option on the new vehicle.

Though larger in every direction than the existing Carnival, Kia claims the new Grand's turning circle is smaller, thanks to a new speed-sensitive steering system.

"With a recommended retail price of just $36,990, the Grand Carnival offers the same - it could almost be said better - value for money than its smaller brother," said Dinesh Chinnappa, General Manager of Kia Automotive Australia.

"This price also means that the Kia Grand Carnival maintains and develops the value for money edge over its rivals," Chinnappa said.