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COLUMBIAN Autocar Corp. (CAC), manufacturer and
distributor of Kia in the Philippines, last week hosted
a formal media presentation of its latest multipurpose
vehicle (MPV), the New Kia Carnival.
In a
tableau of mime, clowns and costumed dancers depicting
the carefree and easy character of the new “MPV
perfected” by Kia, the new Carnival was unveiled amid
high expectations that its reentry in the Philippines
will win it a respectable place in the luxury MPV
market.
Felix J.
Mabilog Jr., president and chief operating officer of
CAC, said he is confident the new Kia Carnival will
provide local car buyers an even greater freedom of
choice in the luxury MPV market. “In the Carnival, you
have a vehicle that brings luxury, safety and
performance into new levels of excellence. At its price,
which is [on a] par with the popular locally available
brands, you can’t get yourself a better deal,” added
Mabilog.
Also
known as the Sedona, the all-new Carnival was completely
redesigned in 2006, basking on the recognition it earned
from the US Department of Transportation’s National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration—five stars—the
highest possible safety rating for all seating positions
in the latest frontal- and side-impact crash tests
conducted by the agency.
Already
a popular choice for buyers looking for value, quality
and safety, the completely redesigned Carnival MPV
offers more horsepower than its predecessor and is
substantially larger in all key dimensions, providing
more passenger room and versatility. New features found
on the all-new Carnival include a standard
fold-flat-into-the-floor third-row seat and
power-sliding doors and liftgate.
Utilizing an all-new platform, the new Carnival’s longer
wheelbase and increased length and width contribute to
the MPV’s nearly 15-percent improvement in passenger
room over its predecessor. Fresh styling cues and
additional standard and available equipment were
designed to bolster the Carnival’s established position
as a safety and value leader in the highly competitive
MPV market.
With
increased horsepower and torque, the all-new Carnival
offers competitive power and performance in the MPV
segment. A completely new 2.9-liter Common Rail Direct
Injection DOHC, turbo intercooler diesel engine
generates 160 ps at 3,700 rpm—a power plant that
provides all the horsepower and torque that may be
required by demanding driving errands or conditions.
Despite
its increase in size, the new Carnival is significantly
lighter than the previous model on an equally equipped
basis. With more power, less weight and a new chassis
with four-wheel independent suspension, the
new-generation Carnival is designed for a more rewarding
drive than its predecessor and competitors.
Since
its introduction in 2001, the Carnival has quickly
gained recognition for its tremendous value and generous
list of standard comfort, convenience and safety
features. In addition to earning the US federal
government’s highest safety ratings (five stars) for the
driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both
frontal- and side-impact crash tests, the Carnival has
compiled an impressive list of accolades.
Serving
as Kia’s flagship safety vehicle, the all-new Carnival
continues to blaze the road map set forth by its
predecessor by earning the “Gold Top Safety Pick” for
its impressive performance with top ratings in frontal-,
side- and rear-impact crash tests by the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US.
In order
to receive a Gold Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, the
vehicle must receive a “Good”—the institute’s highest
rating—in all three categories of frontal, side- and
rear-impact tests. Among the eight current minivan
designs the institute has rated, the Carnival is the
only one that earns “good” ratings in all three
institute’s tests. |
