After two teaser images, Kia has released the first official pictures of the Carens MPV that is scheduled to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show.Penned by ex- Audi designer Peter Schreyer around a theme that Kia describes as "dynamic space," the next-gen Carens wears a much sleeker design than the current model, which dates back to Kia's previous design language. It has a low roofline and a long wheelbase, giving it an athletic stance that is not common in Europe's minivan segment.
Available as a five-seater and a seven-seater, the new Carens' interior is lightyear ahead of the outgoing model. It features a wide touch-screen to control the infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster and a conventional floor-mounted shifter.The Carens will likely be offered with the same engines that are found under the hood of the cee'd hatchback, including a wide range of gasoline-burning engines that go from a 99-horsepower 1.4-liter unit to a 128-horsepower 1.6. It is a safe bet that most buyers will opt for the 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder, however.A manual transmission will send power to the front wheels but buyers with extra cash to spend will be able to opt for a dual-clutch automatic.After greeting the public for the first time in Paris the Kia Carens will go on sale across Europe next spring. At the time of writing Kia does not plan on selling the car in the United States.
