PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Kia eyes diesel for all-new Rondo

The latest generation of Kia’s mini seven-seater, the Carens, was unveiled in Paris today, with new petrol and diesel engines that may pave the way for a diesel engine option in the Australian Rondo.

The Carens, which is marketed here as the Rondo 7, is touted as being more eco-friendly and cheaper to run, while also being slightly smaller in overall dimensions.

But the big news for budget-conscious Australian families is that it is strongly tipped to introduce an economical diesel engine to the line-up when it arrives here in the second quarter of 2013.

Speaking at the car’s launch in Paris, Kia Australia public relations manager Kevin Hepworth told motoring.com.au the new model is “certainly on the wish list with a high priority”.

The car has shrunk in size while migrating to a new platform – but only by a nominal 20mm in length and 15mm in width. Though slightly shorter at 4.5m in overall length, the wheelbase is actually 50mm longer than the current model, which suggests improved passenger accommodation.

In an effort to liberate more interior space, Kia has adopted a new cab-forward design that mimics Euro-style small vans such as the Citroen Berlingo.

Features like a wide-angle mirror in the overhead console to monitor kids in the rear seats are clearly designed to appeal to family buyers. But the versatile seating configuration, which sees the front passenger seat fold flat, the second row split-fold in three parts, and the third row 50:50 spilt-fold, which also creates the opportunity for an extra-long load space.

Information released to date applies only to Europe, where the Carens will be offered with heated front and second-row seats, optional seat ventilation, cruise control with speed limiter, electric parking brake, smart key with press-button start-stop, six-speaker audio, and an optional powered panoramic sunroof.

Space and style aside, it's the mechanicals upgrades that represent the biggest step forward for the Carens. In Europe it will be powered by a 1.7-litre diesel in two states of tune, or the choice of two direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engines, of 1.6 and 2.0-litre capacities.

The petrol engines produce peak torque at an identical 4850rpm, with the 2.0-litre boasting 130kW/211Nm versus 99kW/165Nm for the 1.6. The 2.0-litre covers the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 9.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 203km/h.

Australian Rondos haven’t previously been available with diesel, but Kia Australia is clearly interested, with the high output 100kW/330Nm unit a more likely option than the 85kW/260Nm unit.

In Europe the Carens will be fitted with six-speed manual transmission as standard, with a six-speed automatic an option on the 100kW diesel and 2.0-litre petrol engine. Australia models are likely to boast the automatic as standard on some models, replacing the current model's outdated four-speed unit.

Steering is electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion, incorporating FlexSteer, which enables the driver to choose from three levels of assistance: Normal, Sport or Comfort. European models have the option of automatic parking assistance, but it’s not yet known if this will be available on Australian models.

Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, the front vented discs measuring 300mm, the rears 284mm. The standard steel wheel-tyre combination of 205/55 R16 is complemented by 17- and 18-inch alloys on higher spec models.

The Carens has not yet been crash tested by Euro NCAP but Kia expects it to achieve a five-star rating, courtesy of increased use of high strength steels in the body and all the usual active safety aids, including a new Lane Departure Warning System.

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