Kia Motors is all set to launch a seven-seater MPV in the Indian market next year. As of now, we have learned that the upcoming MPV, internally codenamed KY, will make its global debut on December 16. Furthermore, the MPV will be made in India and will be exported to other countries. It might be called ‘Carens’ in the Indian market.
In terms of design, the new Kia KY will be based on the present models Seltos and Sonet. However, it will borrow the design cues from the South Korean automakers’ global product EV6. The test mules of the same have been spotted multiple times in the past. The spy shots of the same have been leaked online. From the spy images, we could make out that the new MPV resembled the Seltos SUV. But it was seen with a larger rear door and glasshouse. Moving on, the upcoming KY MPV gets sharp shoulder lines and a tad bit longer wheelbase to accommodate the third-row seat. Besides this, the new model will get an upright rear end. The third-row seats will be usable thereby providing better legroom space than its rivals - Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and XL6.
Performance-wise, the upcoming Kia MPV is likely to be powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines. Both these engines are present in Seltos and Sonet in the Indian market. As for the power output and torque performance, we can expect them to be on similar lines. In the present state, the 1.5-litre petrol motor churns out a top power of 113 bhp and a peak torque of 144 Nm. The 1.5-litre diesel unit, on the other hand, generates 113 bhp power and 250 Nm. Furthermore, the MPV is expected to be offered with a choice of manual and automatic transmission.