Kia recently announced its new investment of Rs 2,000 crore for R&D infrastructure development and manufacturing of electric cars in the country. The carmaker aims to expand its EV product lineup with two new models by 2025. The upcoming Kia EVs will be utility vehicles (SUV and MPV) that will be produced at the company’s Anantapur based facility. While the new Kia compact SUV (codenamed AY) will go on sale in 2025, the electric MPV will come later.
In 2023, the South Korean automaker will introduce its top-selling Seltos mid-size SUV and KA4 (new-gen Carnival) MPV with significant updates. While official launch details of both models are yet to be revealed, reports suggest the Seltos facelift will arrive by mid 2023 and new Carnival will come in the second half of this year.
Upcoming New Kia Cars
2023 Kia Seltos Facelift
The updated Seltos will be offered with a new 1.5L turbo petrol engine that will also be used in the new-gen Hyundai Verna and Creta. The motor pushes out a peak power of 160bhp and 253Nm of torque. It can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox. The SUV will also be available with a 115bhp, 1.5L petrol engine paired to a 6-speed manual an iMT gearbox. Major feature upgrade will be the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) along with the navigation-based smart cruise control, surround view monitor, highway driving assistance, tyre pressure monitoring system, a panoramic sunroof, a new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Significant design changes will also be made to the new Seltos. More details here…
New Kia KA4
Unlike the current generation, the new Kia Carnival (new name – KA4) carries SUV-ish stance along with the signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille with a diamond patter, chrome finish on the lower air intake, sleek headlamps, a faux skid plate, A-B and D-pillars in black finish and taillamps connected via an LED light bar. Inside, there are two 12.3-inch displays, wireless charger, a premium sound system, powered front seats and ADAS suite. The MPV will come in three seating configurations – 7, 9 and 11-seats. Here, the new Kia KA4 will be made available with a turbo diesel engine that’s good enough for 199bhp and 440Nm. The motor is said to be lighter (by 20kg) than the previous motor, thanks to its aluminium block. More details here…
