Kia India has received 7,738 bookings for the upcoming Carens, 7-seater utility vehicle, within a day of commencing booking on January 14, the company has said. The Carens, which is going to be positioned as an MPV with SUV-like credentials, is slated to be launched in the coming weeks. The Carens (which can be booked for Rs 25,000) is expected to compete with the Maruti Suzuki XL6, Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus and Hyundai Alcazar.

According to Tae-Jin Park, the managing director and CEO, "It is the highest first day booking we have received for any of our products in India.  With the Carens, we offered a choice of multiple engine and transmission options, coupled with the standard robust ten high safety package and many first-in-class features, to ensure it suits the requirement of anyone who wants a sophisticated and safe family mover."

Kia's latest India offering will also get a six-seat option, and mark the complete utilisation of the company's installed capacity of 300,000 units annually at its Anantpur plant in Andhra Pradesh. Kia India sold 227,844 units in CY2021, including 46,261 units of exports.

In an investor presentation shared last year by parent Kia Corporation, the carmaker said it sales target for this calendar for the Carens is 50,000 units. The new model gets six airbags as a standard fit across the five trim levels -- Premium, Prestige, Prestige Plus, Luxury and Luxury Plus - that it will be offered in.

Based on the Seltos SUV, the Carens will get three powertrain options - 1.4-litre turbo-petrol, 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. While the 1.5-litre units will get a 6MT as standard, there will be options of a 6AT for the diesel engine. The 1.4-litre mill will come equipped with a sole 7DCT drivetrain.  The Carens will get ambient mood lighting, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8-speaker Bose audio system and a single-pane sunroof.