With the promise to combine “sporty looks with spacious functionality and an emotional appeal”, Kia will perform the world premiere of the all-new Carens MPV, a successor to the minivan sold as the Rondo in North America up until 2010, at the Paris Motor Show on September 27.
The new generation of the Carens makes use of a modified version of the Cee’d’s platform shared with the Hyundai i30 (called the Elantra GT in North America) and at least in Europe, it will likely be offered with 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines.
The sketches released by Kia suggest that the new Carens will draw heavily on the design of the latest generation Cee’d.
The Korea company said that the minivan will sport a “fresh, sleek, cab-forward design, lower roofline, longer wheelbase, larger wheels (up to 18-inch) and chrome beltline accent.”
Back in May, a Kia official had said that the company would present “a five-seat and seven-seat compact minivan that will replace both the Carens and Carnival” at the Paris Motor Show. From what we understand, the car pictured here is the five-seat version of Kia’s new minivan proposal.
Whether Kia will offer the new Carens in other markets around the world including North America is something that remains to be seen.
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