Kia Motors launches 7-seat Carnival Limousine in S. Korea

SEOUL, March 30 (Yonhap) -- Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest carmaker, started to sell its seven-seat Carnival Limousine in South Korea on Monday, providing more options for consumers seeking to buy premium minivans.

Kia Motors had sold the seven-seat Carnival only in overseas markets but opted to sell it here, apparently encouraged by recently growing demand.

The seven-seat minivan differentiates itself from the previously released nine-seat and 11-seat Carnival models with "luxurious" and "refined" features. The second-row VIP seat, in particular, is designed to provide more comfort for passengers with improved headrests, leg support and other features, the company said.

It also provides more space than the nine-seat and 11-seat models that have four rows of seats. The third-row seat can also be folded into the floor, which makes more room for cargo.

The Carnival Limousine comes in diesel and gasoline engine types with the latter offering more comfortable driving with less noise, the company said.

The V6 Lambda II 3.3 GDI engine produces up to 280 horsepower with a torque of 34.3 kilogram-meters and gas mileage of 8.3 kilometers per liter. Its R2.2 E-VGT diesel engine offers 202 horsepower and a torque of 45.5 kilogram-meters with fuel efficiency of 11.2 kmpl.

The seven-seat minivan is priced at 35.3 million won-38.9 million won (US$31,952-US$34,397) for its diesel model, with the gasoline model to be sold at 37.1 million won.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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