- Six seats, but taking up road space
of a small hatchback.
- Prices set to start under
$24,000.
- Full specification includes AirCon,
CD player, driver’s airbag and power windows, mirrors and
locks.
The first of a new generation of
family cars, the Kia Carens, will be launched in Australia on 1st July 2000,
providing Australia with a six seat family-sized people mover under $24,000 for
the first time.
Although the Kia Carens takes up no more
road space than a small family hatchback – and therefore has the same
levels of maneuverability and ease of driving – its advanced ‘tall
body’ design means that it offers six seats. Versatility and flexibility
is further enhanced by a range of different seat positions, while features such
as seat back tables, wide opening doors and a plethora of pockets and cup
holders make the Kia Carens the ideal family car.
Adding to the remarkable value for money
offered by the Kia Carens is its superb equipment level, which includes a four
speaker-equipped CD audio system, electric windows and mirrors, central
locking, air conditioning, driver’s side airbag and variable assistance
power steering.
This class of car has been the major success
story in the European car market in the last five years, showing staggering
growth – up 54 per cent last year in a declining market – and it has
overtaken the full size people mover market, one of the other major growth
areas in Europe during the same period, in total sales. The Carens provides
Australia with its first opportunity to buy this class of car.
“Unique is the only word to
describe the Carens,” says Ric Hull, Managing Director of Kia Automotive
Australia. “It combines the space and flexibility of a people mover, yet
it takes up the road space of a family hatchback. That means on today's crowded
roads it is as easy to drive as a hatch, but it offers the interior space of a
much larger car. It is, quite simply, the ideal combination for a family. Add
the price and specification and we believe that the Kia Carnes offers a
remarkable package.”
Kia Automotive Australia does not, though,
see the Carens restricted to the family market. The newly appointed importer
believes that the Carens will also appeal to wide range of other car buyers.
For example, its high and upright seating position, allied to wide opening
doors, ease of entry and excellent all-round visibility will make the Carens
appealing to older customers who find conventional cars uncomfortable. At the
other end of the range, its stylish good looks and flexibility interior space
will appeal to young car buyers tired of the traditional choice of small hatch
or small four wheel drive.
The ‘tall car’ concept used by the
Kia Carens is a highly successful method making a spacious and appealing car.
By retaining the same floor height as a conventional car and raising the
roofline almost to that of a 4WD, a cavernous interior space is produced. This
is further enhanced by seating the occupants in a more natural upright seat
that enables the middle row of seats to offer the same head and legroom as the
front seats. Foot room is further enhanced by deep foot wells, while a low
waistline provides a light, airy interior and good all-round visibility.
The low floor line and compact, low
drivetrain and suspension mean that the centre of gravity is, unlike a 4WD,
little different from a normal car, despite the high roof. This translates into
on-road manners that are the same as a car; safe, responsive and enjoyable to
drive.
The Kia Carens is
powered by a twin cam 16 valve 1.8 litre engine offering 81 kW. It is matched
to a five speed manual gearbox or an optional four speed electronically
controlled automatic gearbox. The compact front wheel drivetrain, complemented
by a compact rear suspension design, further liberates space for people and
luggage in Carens. In addition to the sophisticated fully independent
suspension, the Carens engine speed sensitive power steering boosts assistance
at low engine speeds, further enhancing the Caren’s maneuverability.
The Carens has not abandoned style for
functionality. The clean and stylish exterior, with its large single lens
headlights, large glass area and reverse racked C pillar combine to provide
good looks and a safe driving environment. Inside style, comfort and
functionality combine. The unusual white on blue instruments both look good and
are relaxing to the eye, while the wood effect trim, velour cloth upholstery,
folding armrests and deep pile carpet combine to provide an aura of luxury
usually absent in this category.
The active safety features – designed
to help avoid accidents – provided by fully independent suspension, a
responsive front wheel drive power train, variable assistance steering, superb
all-round visibility with a high eye line, and a fatigue reducing comfortable
interior, are complemented by the range of passive safety features. Lead by the
driver’s air bag, these also include a safety cell surrounded by crumple
zones and it is, therefore, no surprise to learn that the Carens passes all
existing and proposed North American and European safety legislation for both
frontal and side impact.
Full prices and specification of the Carens
will be announced when it goes on sale on 1 July 2000.
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