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2015 Kia Grand Carnival another winner


Not sure where they have crossed over from, but the idea remains basically the same - to move more than a standard car load of people from point A to B. Unfortunately the finished product is generally large, box-like and unattractive - often the object of disdain.

Enter stage right the new and much improved Kia Carnival, launched this week at the New York motor show. The Korean dynamo has done its best to make the car desirable with a long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and plush interior - a DUV if you like ...

THE HISTORY

Launched here in 1999 the Carnival soon became a family favourite, based on  price, features and its seven-seat capacity. There have been some hiccups along the way like the failure of some Rover 2.5-litre V6s fitted originally, but Carnival soon managed to overtake the Toyota Tarago as the vehicle of choice for those with a tribe.

Larger, second generation Carnival arrived in 2006 with a 2.7-litre homegrown V6 and expanded eight seat capacity, with the addition of a more expansive Grand Carnival with the boot space to match. Along the way the V6 has grown to 3.5 litres and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel has also been added.

THE NEW MODEL

The Kia revolution continues. Following close on the heels of the restyled Rondo, Carnival is the last model in the lineup to receive the Schreyer treatment, the German designer and author of the Audi who has almost single handedly put the brand on the map.

With the arrival of a larger, more directly aggressive Honda Odyssey, Kia is poised to hit back with the launch of an all new, more stylish Carnival. To put this in perspective, Carnival has slipped from 36 per cent market share in 2013, to just 19 per cent this year, behind Odyssey and just ahead of the Hyundai iMax - the other main player in the segment (month on month the position is even worse).

ENGINES

The current 3.5-litre V6 has been replaced by a slightly more powerful direct injection 3.3-litre V6, with 205kW of power and 336Nm of torque, together with a six-speed automatic. This compares with the 202kW of the current engine.

Although they produce exactly the same 336Nm of torque, the new V6 delivers its torque higher in the rev range, at 5200 instead of 4500 revs which is less desirable. You want all the torque you can get as quickly as you can get it to make a car as responsive as possible.

The new V6 should however produce a dramatic improvement in fuel consumption, currently rated at 10.9 litres/100km. A three-step Variable Induction System (VIS) automatically adjusts the volume of the air pulled into the combustion chamber to create the optimal air-to-fuel mix. No word yet on the fate of the current 2.2 litre turbodiesel but is likely to carry over.

SAFETY

It's downplayed, but the current Carnival is only a four-star car, not five which is the kiss of death where families are concerned. The airbags do not extend to the third row of seats and centre seating positions in the rear miss out on three-point seatbelts.

The new Carnival is expected to address these issues. Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC) have been added to the list of driver assistance systems, with advanced systems such as Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert also available.

SEATING

New Carnival comes in seven or eight-seat configuration, with a 40mm longer wheelbase that provides more legroom for all rows. Access to the rear is via sliding doors either side like the current car.

In seven seat form the two middle seats are separate and slide from side to side as well as backwards and forwards, with fold out foot rests like aircraft seats. But Australia will be taking only the eight seater which in the car we saw in New York consists of two full size seats, with a smaller, child-size removable seat linking them.

The third row seats are split 60:40 and can be folded into the floor when not in use. The interior is a major step up in terms of quality, a trend that Schreyer says will continue with future models.

CONNECTIVITY

Unfortunately we miss out on the new UVO connectivity system, the Kia App store and all of the wonderful possibilities it promises. Apparently Australia does not have the necessary infrastructure to support it yet.

OTHER GOODIES

There will be three grades and the top of the line model should get all of the safety items. It also comes with 18 or 19 inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, 2.1amp USB and 240w AC power outlets, a power tailgate that can be opened remotely and surround view camera designed to make parking easier.

WHEN DO WE GET IT?

New Carnival could be here in time for Christmas if we're lucky, early in the new year at the latest. No word yet on the price but expect them to be competitive with Odyssey priced from $35,100. The current model starts from $38,990 through to $56,290 for the top of the line diesel.

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