Kia Opens Bookings for Carens CNG, Clavis CNG in India

Kia India has officially commenced bookings for the factory-fitted CNG variants of its popular Carens and Carens Clavis multi-purpose vehicles, following their recent public unveiling during the launch event of the flagship Sorento SUV. Commercial market launch and official price announcements are expected to take place in the coming weeks as Kia seeks to expand its footprint in the growing alternative fuel segment across the country.

The feature-packed Carens Clavis CNG will be available to private buyers in the entry-tier HTE and HTE (O) trim levels. Powering this bi-fuel vehicle is the company's 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. Under CNG operation, the powertrain generates an output of 94 bhp alongside 123 Nm of peak torque, supported by a 60-litre CNG storage tank.

The version showcased at the unveiling featured a practical seven-seat layout, along with premium touches such as alloy wheels, projector headlamps, a digital driver display, and a modern touchscreen infotainment system.

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Similarly, the standard Carens CNG will be offered in the retail market under the Premium (O) variant, utilising the same 1.5-litre motor and six-speed manual transmission configuration. In line with Kia's targeted expansion into commercial fleet operations and business-to-business sales, specialised fleet-oriented variants are also being introduced.

The introduction of CNG-powered options positions Kia to directly challenge Maruti Suzuki's dominance in the MPV segment, where models like the Ertiga CNG and XL6 CNG command significant market share across both private and commercial buyers.