2015 Kia Grand Carnival revealed

The Kia Grand Carnival people mover -- called the Sedona and QV in other markets -- is getting a bit elderly, with the current second generation having been around for nearly ten years. Its successor will be officially unveiled tomorrow at New York motor show, but Kia has previewed the vehicle ahead of the debut, showing the fresh styling and revealing information about the new V6 engine that joins the range.

The coming Carnival is 40.6mm longer -- promising more room -- and in one version sports a sporty front bumper underscoring the Kia family tiger mouth grille, the lines of which flow into imposing light clusters with LED daytime running lights.

A nudge plate and large wheels bulk up the road presence, while stepped side window line seeded from the KV7 concept design adds some visual interest to what would otherwise be a vast expanse of body and rear sliding doors. A second model ditches the mesh grille in favour of slats, and the larger wheels for smaller -- more real-world -- ones.

Seating is available for either eight or seven, with latter configuration getting the option of premium seats for the second row -- which can be tracked forward and folded to create more cargo space.

The car will be launched in the US later this year with a new 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine with 205kW/336Nm that slightly betters the current 202kW/336Nm 2.5-litre.  There's also expected to be a revised version of the carryover 143kW/429Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel, while transmissions are likely to remain six-speed autos.

Kia Australia spokesman Kevine Hepworth says the local engine line-up is yet to be confirmed. "Nothing is signed off at this stage but a good bet is the 3.3-litre petrol and the 2.2-litre diesel," he says, adding the official timing will be either very late this year or very early in 2015.

The Grand Carnival will be stacked with the safety, comfort and features becoming increasingly demanded by the family wallet. A hands-free automatic tailgate, surround view monitor and power sliding doors star on the list, with an arsenal of safety systems, including the options of stability management, collision warning, smart cruise control, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alerts.