GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Kia - Carnival

Kia Carnival’s right-hand advantage

Good oil: Hydraulic steering and extensive suspension tuning is unique to the Australian-spec Kia Carnival.

New Carnival people-mover benefits from not being left-hand-drive, says Kia experts

Gallery

Click to see larger images

27 Feb 2015

THE localisation of Kia vehicles is getting a little easier – but it won’t stop them from pushing harder to get more, according to Kia Motors Australia (KMAu) management.

KMa has taken each of the cars in its current line-up and subjected them to a program of localisation for both steering feel and suspension performance.

The program entails testing at Kia’s ride and handling facility in South Korea and back-to-back testing and component assessment in Australia.

The original suspension package for the recently-launched Carnival people-mover was, in the words of one Kia insider, “pretty average” at the outset of the vehicle’s development program, but a joint effort between Australian and Korean engineers has netted genuine improvements across the board.

The steering system, in particular, is unique to right-hand-drive markets, being a hydraulically assisted type, rather than an electrically-assisted system.

The move towards electric systems results in fewer drive belts and decreased loads on the engine, netting improvements in fuel economy. The trade-off is often in steering feel at the wheel rim.

KMAu technical consultant Graeme Gambold praised the feel of hydraulic steering and added that it was a good fit for the Carnival.

“There’s nothing wrong with hydraulic steering, and it obviously gives you a better feel,” he said. “So it was a choice for Kia to go that way.

“Hydraulic steering is still perceived by a lot of engineers as a premium system. It’s just the push for better fuel consumption that’s seen everyone go electric. We still see that hydraulic steering is not lacking in anything. It’s actually a benefit to this model.”

KMAu product manager Jeff Shafer revealed that manufacturing requirements had directed the Carnival down the path of hydraulic steering, but the advantages for the consumer were worth the point of difference.

“There’s electric steering for the vehicle in left-hand-drive configuration,” he said. “But not in right-hand-drive. From a local perspective, hydraulic (steering) was the option that we were given. Having said that, and having spent a lot of time tuning that steering rack to our conditions, we really could see some benefits, particularly in feel.”

Mr Shafer said that having several cars under their belts makes the job of negotiating with their Korean engineering counterparts easier.

“We always push for as much as we can get,” he said. “On one hand, we always wanted to challenge what was available and try and make the best car we can.

Certainly in the last few trips Graeme and I have made to the R&D centre (in Korea), our meetings with the engineers are getting really productive, because they now understand the results and the benefits.

“In fact a lot of the upcoming chassis work that we’re seeing is very much in line with what we’ve been talking to them about in past models. Together, we’re both improving what we can offer in the ride and handling space.”

The Carnival carries over the previous-generation’s MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. However, the addition of a hydraulic rebound spring on the front axle, stiffer anti-roll bars and crossmember bushings on the rear and better dampers has improved the handling of the car noticeably.

“The company has a big commitment to it, not just us, but the European and the UK guys, as well,” said Mr Gambold. “It’s seen as passive safety. We spend a lot of time talking abut warning lights and ANCAP and that sort of thing, but we see improved ride and handling as improved passive safety, which means less intervention by active systems. We value it from the whole aspect of safety and the drive.”

Mr Gambold also said that Australia was having more input into the specifications of tyres that are fitted to local vehicles.

“We give the Koreans quite strong advice on where tyres need to be tuned,” he said. “We don’t yet work directly with the tyre manufacturers to tune them, but our requirements are put into the final-spec tyre.”

Read more

GoAuto can help you buy a new Carnival

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Kia models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here