New diesel, higher prices for Carnival

THE admission price for Kia’s top-selling Carnival has increased by $3000 following the axing of the 2.7-litre V6-powered short-wheelbase S model that previously opened the evergreen Korean people-mover range at $35,990 plus on-road costs.

In its place, Kia has introduced a new S version that shares its 3.5-litre V6 with all other petrol versions of the long-wheelbase Grand Carnival and now opens the all-automatic Grand Carnival line-up at $38,990.

It is based on the Grand Carnival Si, which is now priced $1000 higher at $40,990, and includes 16-inch alloy wheels but excludes heated door mirrors, third-row power windows, roof rails, a front centre table, chromed rear garnish, interior metal finish and illuminated vanity mirrors.

Prices of the other two V6 models – the SLi and top-shelf Platinum – increase by $200 to $46,190 and $52,190 respectively, as part of a revised 2012 model year Grand Carnival line-up, which also brings Bluetooth connectivity and remote audio controls as standard across the range.

The biggest mechanical change for the MY12 Grand Carnival, however, is the availability of Hyundai-Kia’s new 2.2-litre R-Series turbo-diesel engine first seen here in late 2009 in the facelifted Santa Fe and new Sorento medium SUVs.

Linked to the Korean giant’s new six-speed automatic transmission (instead of the previous 136kW/343Nm 2.9-litre diesel engine’s five-speed auto), the upgraded Grand Carnival diesel delivers a healthier 143kW of power and a muscular 429Nm of torque.

At the same time, the muscular new R-Series engine reduces the diesel Grand Carnival’s combined fuel consumption from 8.5 to 8.1L/100km, and CO2 emissions from 224 to 213g/km.

In addition to Bluetooth and steering wheel audio controls, SLi versions of the 2012 Grand Carnival diesel also gain a rear-view camera as standard, while Platinum variants score a power-operated tailgate with six audio speakers rather than eight as before.

The front-wheel-drive Carnival’s more powerful, more efficient diesel engine is accompanied by more significant price increases, however, with the entry-level Grand Carnival Si auto now priced $2400 higher at $44,990.

Mid-range SLi and flagship Platinum versions of the eight-seater Grand Carnival CRDi, the current generation of which went on sale here in February 2009 and gained six airbags as standard in 2010, are now $1600 pricier than before at $50,190 and $56,990 respectively.

Carnival sales are down 2.0 per cent so far this year, but the big Kia wagon holds an even bigger 35.4 per cent share of the mainstream people-mover segment, thanks to sales plunges by Hyundai’s iMax (down 39.9 per cent), Honda’s Odyssey (down 38.5 per cent) and Toyota’s Tarago (down 35.8 per cent).

This is despite a 54.7 per cent sales surge by the Dodge Journey, which to April this year has overtaken Toyota’s stalwart Tarago to be the third-best-selling mainstream people-mover behind the Carnival and iMax.

MY12 Kia GrandCarnival pricing:&nbsp
3.5 S (a)	$38,990 (new)
3.5 Si (a)	$40,990 (+ $1000)
2.2 CRDi Si (a)	$44,990 (+ $2400)
3.5 SLi (a)	$46,190 (+ $200)
2.2 CRDi&nbsp SLi (a)	$50,190 (+ $1600)
3.5 Platinum (a)	$52,190 (+ $200)
2.2 CRDi Platinum (a)	$56,190 (+ $1600)