Kia announces 11-seat Grand Carnival MPV

Kia launched a new variant of the Grand Carnival MPV. The Grand Carnival was launched as an all-new vehicle in 2015, with the van positioned at the premium end of the market at   . Now Kia distributor Columbian Autocar Corp. has announced a more affordable version, the 11-seater Grand Carnival.

The 11-seat Grand Carnival features four rows of seats. The second and third row seats can be rearranged, and the fourth row folds flat into the floor to allow for more cargo or passenger capacity as needed. The seats feature stain-resistant fabric. Liquid spills bead up for easier cleaning, while stains rubbed into the seats can reportedly be removed easily with soap and water.

The Grand Carnival 11-seater retains the power side doors, and deletes the power tailgate and moonroof of the premium version. The instrument panel features a 3.5-inch OLED-type display and multimedia system. The steering wheel is adjustable via tilt and telescoping settings, and controls a hydraulic-type power assist system.

The new Grand Carnival retains the 2.2-liter inline-four common-rail diesel engine, good for 200 ps and 441 Nm. Fuel tank capacity is 80 liters. The exterior carries projector headlamps, halogen fog lamps, and glossy black radiator grille with chrome accents. Grand Carnival features MacPherson Strut front suspension with multi-link rear suspension.

A key attraction of the 11-seat Grand Carnival is its price, slotting in at an introductory price of P1.595 million. Kia promised better value for its lineup, thanks to the ASEAN-Korean Free Trade Agreement that lowers tariffs for cars imported from Korea.