Kia opens pre-bookings for CNG and hybrid versions of Carens, Clavis and Carnival

Kia India has launched its best-selling Carens MPV with a factory-fitted CNG kit. The company's lineup now includes CNG versions of both the Carens and the Clavis, and pre-bookings for them have already begun. The Carens Clavis CNG will be available in two variants, HTE and HTE (O).

Kia India has strengthened its three-row MPV range by opening official pre-bookings for the Carens CNG, Carens Clavis CNG and Carnival Limousine Hybrid. All three models can be booked through the company's authorised dealer network.

The Kia Carens CNG comes with a 1.5 litre petrol engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. It has a factory-fitted CNG kit and a 60 litre tank. For retail customers, the car will come in the Premium (O) G 1.5 6MT trim, while an M-Drive variant will also be available for B2B and commercial use. Changes have been made to the engine calibration and suspension to suit CNG use. The company says the car will prove economical for both family and commercial use.

The Carens Clavis CNG also gets the same 1.5 litre G1.5 engine and six-speed manual transmission, along with a factory-fitted 60 litre CNG system. The top variant of this premium-positioned car will get features such as dual digital displays, Level 2 ADAS, six airbags, connected LED lighting and a panoramic sunroof.

The Kia Carnival Limousine Hybrid has a 1.6 litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrain paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Earlier, the Carnival was available only in diesel, but the new hybrid option will offer better mileage and performance. It is Kia's flagship MPV, with features such as luxury seating, powered sliding doors and a premium interior. Pre-bookings for it have also begun.

Prices for the Kia Carens CNG and Carens Clavis CNG have not yet been announced. The company is expected to launch these cars ahead of the festive season. A launch date for the CNG variants has not been announced, but they are likely to launch in late September or early October.

The company estimates that the car will deliver a mileage of around 22 to 25 kilometres per kilogram. Kia says the engine has been calibrated so that performance will not be affected. The 60 litre CNG tank is fitted beneath the boot floor, which has slightly reduced boot space.