Carnival celebrates
BY BRUCE NEWTON | 4th Dec 2001
The top selling people-mover in Australia in 2001 according to VFACTS, with 2120 sales to the end of October, is priced at $31,990 in five-speed manual form and $34,990 as a four-speed automatic.
The Carnival has been boosted with a number of under-skin refinements which Kia claims make it quieter, smoother and more comfortable, as well as a completely new design for its middle and third row seats.
Both rows of seats can now slide backwards and forwards allowing for the adjustment of legroom and the boot space to be changed to meet different load demands.
Additionally the rear row of seats are split, not just for its sliding mechanism but also with a split backrest. The two centre seats and the split rear seat may also be removed individually.
Additional power sockets have also been fitted to the interior, joining the existing 12 volt outlet in the boot. Twin sunglass holders are fitted for the driver and front seat passenger and there's new lighting for the whole interior, which can be remotely controlled from the dashboard.
Outside all the panels ahead of the A pillar including the bonnet are new, as well as a new grille, clear-finish headlights with re-designed lenses and a new bumper with inset and standard front foglights.
At the back of new Carnival, the rear door has been redesigned to make access to the boot easier and this is complemented by a new bumper with a rubber trim step added for extra safety.
Other features remain, including the 2.5-litre V6 engine, standard air-conditioning, central locking power steering six-speaker CD audio system front electric windows with one-touch operation on the driver's window and velour upholstery and deep pile carpet.