Kia Carnival and EV9 Set for October 3 India Launch

Kia is preparing to significantly impact the Indian automotive market with the simultaneous launch of two premium vehicles, the Carnival and EV9 on October 3, 2024. The company will introduce the Carnival MPV and the all-electric EV9 SUV, with both models expected to be initially sold as completely built units (CBU). Pricing details of the Carnival and EV9 are anticipated to be announced on the launch day, with deliveries scheduled before the Diwali festival season.

Key points about the Kia Carnival:

• Expected to be priced starting around Rs 50 lakh
• Initially imported, with local assembly planned for the future
• Powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine for the Indian market
• Features dual 12.3-inch displays, front and rear dash cameras, and a head-up display
• Offers multiple seating configurations (7, 9, and 11-seater options)

The Carnival's pricing positions it uniquely in the Indian market, above the Toyota Innova Hycross (around Rs 30 lakh) but below the Toyota Vellfire (Rs 1.22 crore). Its feature-rich interior includes ambient lighting, an updated digital key with fingerprint recognition, and a digital rear-view mirror.

The Kia EV9, set to become India’s most expensive Kia model, is expected to be priced above Rs 1 crore, placing it in direct competition with the BMW iX.

Key features of the EV9 include:

• Built on the e-GMP electric skateboard platform
• Three-row seating configuration
• Bold, upright SUV design with modern Kia styling cues
• Available in single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD configurations globally

Both vehicles represent Kia's push into the premium segment of the Indian automotive market. The Carnival seeks to redefine the luxury MPV space, while the EV9 showcases Kia's commitment to electric mobility in the high-end SUV segment.