Kia has premiered its third-generation Carens at the Paris Motor Show. The all-new compact MPV – designed and engineered from a clean sheet – will enter the market in both five- and seven-seater forms.
Measuring 4.52 metres long, the new Carens is 20 mm shorter, 15 mm narrower and 40 mm lower than the previous generation model. Its overall height of 1,610 mm is the same as the Soul and is one of the lowest in class, giving the model a more sporty appearance. It also has an increased wheelbase, up by 50 mm to 2,750 mm, and features a cab-forward design which places the base of the A-pillar above the front-wheel centre line.
Four engines are specified for the European market, two diesel and two petrol units. The oil burner is a 1.7 litre lump, with two output tunes, 115 PS and 260 Nm in the lower state, and 136 PS and 330 Nm in the higher state of tune.
Both the petrol engines are gasoline direct injection units, a 135 PS and 165 Nm 1.6 litre GDI as seen in the Sportage and also on new cee’d, and a 2.0 litre mill with 177 PS and 211 Nm for numbers. Transmissions choices are a six-speed manual and a six-speed auto, the latter featuring a manual sport mode with optional paddle-shifts on the steering wheel.
The Carens comes with LED daylight running lights as standard, with HID headlamps as well as LED rear combination lamps being optional items.
Inside, there’s a choice of black or black/beige interior colour schemes for the seats and cabin trim, in regular cloth, woven cloth or leather, depending on model. Besides offering plenty of storage compartments in the cabin, items of note include rear air-conditioning vents, a special wide-angle mirror in the overhead console (for parents to monitor their kids at the back while on the move) and optional side window blinds.
Available features will include an electric parking brake, smart key with engine start/stop button, a six-speaker audio system with optional amplifier and subwoofer, puddle lights in the exterior front door handles, and an optional large powered panoramic glass sunroof. Cruise control with a speed limiter comes as standard.
Base wheel and tyres are 16-inchers wrapped with 205/55 R16 low rolling resistance rubbers, but you can move up to new 17-inch silver and 18-inch dark grey alloys if you’re into the size thing.
There’s ABS, EBD and brake assist, and the Carens can be specified with LDWS (Lane Departure Warning System) and SPAS (Smart Parking Assist System). There’s also an optional rear-view safety camera in the mix.
Seven exterior colours will be available for the new Carens, these being solid Clear White, Bright Silver, Titanium Silver and Black Cherry pearl, plus three new metallic colours, Powder Newport Blue, Celestial Silver and Galaxy Brown.
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Proton when u ahh…everybody upgrade their cars with latest tech….u till old and same story…world class konon ….learn and think please before selling to us….we are fed up listen to ur story of searching new partner…
Please tell the same thing to japs famous 4 speeder and overpriced car auto makers. They are more legible
wow comparing face lifted 2011 model with not yet launched 2013/2014 model
By Bye Exora…RM78K price not worth it anymore…
Smartest move by Exora owners soon is quickly trade-in it for this new Rondo…
What say you Proton? Bumper baru again for Exora? What, no budget to redesign new Exora kah? Kesian…
You have to pump ron97 into that GDI engine, fuel cost wise is a big no no.
we need low sulfur petrol to suit GDI engine irrespective izzit RON95 or 97.
6 speed manual and 6 speed auto with manual sport mode….nice… T.. H…and N still stuck with 4 speed….
hello, 4 speed is just for toyota.. honda now at least 5 speed auto boss.. Nissan I not sure..
kalau exora van sayur tu tak tukar design jugak .. memang sayur laa sales exora lepas ni. tapi jgn harap laa nak tukar design kan, tunggu 20 tahun lagi laa..
asyik ckp nak cari partner je.. giler bohsia proton ni, cari partner tak habis habis..
Better than proton s*it.
Seeing the price very competitive with Proton Exora.
Cutest price around Rm60k
Exora still not so bad. Still got turbocharger.
T & H like dinosaur. Only difference is not yet extinct.
does hyundai has similar mid size mpv model?
both Kia and Hyundai been producing superb cars lately. keep it up k-pop!!!!
i don’t think so, hyundai trajet (naza ria) is full size mpv…
Perception wise superb but still ultra low resale value
nice dashboard …. macam audi
this car will take another 2yrs to hit our shore, just like the Kia Rio… Until now still keep on delaying the launch date…
in 2 yrs anything can happen …. like new model from other manufacturer
but surprisingly, i have not encounter any other sub compact car that is on par with Rio in terms of design :P that’s why i still waiting for Rio xD if Rio still doesnt come end of this yr, i will probably get the Fiesta which is also a great car! but too bad my family already has one :(
Don worry, the new kia rio is coming this december, price around 72k-78k, the most value for money b-segment compact car
Nice.. but they should drop the name ‘Carens’.. coz the name Carens carries the old and ugly image of the previous models..
I see they took inspiration from Ford when designing the rear.
Very much like Smax. Bring this Carens especially in diesel guise.
wow. surprisingly good looking for a mini mpv. thumbs up naza citra.. err
want to know why some Kia/Hyundai new model cannot be launched in Malaysia? Proton punya pasal lah. If they launch new Rio at the same time as Preve, obviously who want to buy proton?
Korean cars are just a bad in terms quality and design a Proton.
So this is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black
The current 3 year Rondo can hardly fetch RM40k when you wanna trade it in. More than 55% depreciation in 3 years.
When this new model is launched here, the current one will trade in for less than RM25k
The current Rondo is already short compared to other MPV of the same class..and this one is even shorter?
No doubt that the new Rondo is of good built Q and have comfort ride..
The looks are good, but the front nose not as good as the other Kia line up..should be better looking as the forte or sportage..
design wise outstanding but look a bit short, so now would prefer orlando…