Kia Expands Green Lineup with Factory-Fitted Dual-Fuel Carens and Clavis CNG

 NEW DELHI — Kia India has officially expanded its three-row and crossover portfolio with the introduction of factory-fitted CNG variants for the Carens MPV and the Clavis crossover. Aimed directly at mileage-conscious families and high-mileage fleet buyers, the new bi-fuel offerings are priced between ₹12.50 lakh and ₹16.50 lakh (ex-showroom), bridging the gap between standard petrol models and premium diesel alternatives.

Factory Integration: Dual-Cylinder Efficiency

Moving away from aftermarket or dealer-fitted kits, Kia has engineered a fully integrated dual-fuel architecture. Under the hood sits a tuned 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Smartstream petrol engine paired with a factory-fitted dual-cylinder CNG setup.

• Power Output: 93 bhp (approx. 95–96 PS) in CNG mode

• Torque: 123 Nm delivered via a 6-speed manual gearbox

• Tank Setup: Compact dual-cylinder layout engineered to preserve usable boot floor volume while retaining an underbody-mounted spare wheel.

• Efficiency: Estimated fuel economy ranges between 22 km/kg and 25 km/kg, significantly cutting running costs compared to conventional petrol powertrains.

To account for the added weight of the pressurized cylinders, Kia upgraded the rear suspension setup and strengthened the braking system with larger front disc assemblies to maintain composed ride dynamics and braking distances.

Key Specifications & Price Overview

Parameter	Kia Carens CNG	Kia Clavis CNG
Segment	3-Row Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)	Crossover / Compact MPV
Engine	1.5L 4-Cylinder Smartstream	1.5L 4-Cylinder Smartstream
Transmission	6-Speed Manual	6-Speed Manual
Power / Torque	93 bhp / 123 Nm	93 bhp / 123 Nm
Seating Layout	7-Seater	6- / 7-Seater Options
Price Bracket	₹12.50 – ₹15.80 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)	₹12.80 – ₹16.50 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)

Cabin Features & Safety

Both models retain core tech and convenience features found in their petrol counterparts. Key interior and safety highlights include:

• Dual-Fuel Cluster: A 4.2-inch digital TFT instrument cluster providing dedicated CNG level indicators, instantaneous fuel switch status, and remaining distance-to-empty data.

• Seamless Switching: A dashboard-mounted fuel selector switch allows on-the-fly toggling between petrol and compressed natural gas.

• Cabin Comfort: Uncompromised third-row recline geometry, dedicated roof-mounted blower vents, and multiple Type-C charging outlets across rows.

• Standard Safety Suite: 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), and all-wheel disc brakes.

Market Context and Rivals

The launch places Kia directly against segment stalwarts such as the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG, Maruti Suzuki XL6 CNG, and Toyota Rumion CNG. By offering factory warranties, recalibrated suspension geometry, and improved low-end torque mapping, Kia positions the Carens and Clavis CNG as practical, low-emission long-distance tourers for private owners and executive fleet operators alike.