Kia has announced a series of upgrades to its Carens seven-seater.
The updates have refreshed the appearance and functionality of the MPV, bringing it up-to-date with Kia’s latest model designs, improving in-cabin ambience, and updating the safety and connectivity features.
Up front, the Carens features revised front and rear bumpers and fog lamp design, as well as an updated ‘tiger-nose’ grille, resulting in a more sculpted appearance. These changes are accompanied by the addition of a new exterior paint finish, ‘Mysterious Blue’, as well as three new designs for 16-, 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels. New rear combination lamps with a new light signature have also been added.
The Carens’s seven-seats now have a new upholstery – available with a new knit cloth pattern, or leather with a diamond-woven pattern – with new metallic and gloss-black accents joining throughout the cabin, alongside a new carbon-effect dashboard trim. The interior is available with either black or beige upholstery.
A choice of a 7.0- or 8.0-inch touchscreen HMI (human-machine interface), with navigation, Kia Connected Services powered by TomTom, and rear-view parking camera is available. The new HMI also incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for full smartphone integration. Android Auto is designed to work with Android phones running 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher; Apple CarPlay, for iPhone 5 or newer on selected models.
A new JBL Premium Sound system, which features a subwoofer, external amplifier and six speakers for greater audio quality throughout the cabin will feature on selected UK models.
Kia has also added a new ‘Eco Pack’ to the 114 bhp 1.7-litre diesel engine, incorporating Idle Stop/Go (ISG) technology, Michelin low rolling resistance tyres, and a series of revised gear ratios. The most economical engine in the Carens line-up, the ISG-equipped Carens is now capable of producing carbon dioxide emissions as low as 109 g/km when paired with the car’s six-speed manual transmission (combined, New European Driving Cycle).
The upgraded Kia Carens will go on sale in the UK in late 2016, with full spec and pricing released at launch.