A new video teaser now offers us a partial look at the outside and interior of the future Kia Carens Clavis EV ahead of its price announcement on July 15. With the exception of a few EV-specific upgrades, the standard ICE-powered Carens Clavis hasn’t altered all that much. The Kia Carens Clavis EV’s stated 490-kilometre range on a single charge is the more significant news.
Although Kia has not disclosed the size or variety of battery options available for the Carens Clavis EV, it is anticipated that the Hyundai Creta Electric will share the same details. There are two battery configurations available for the latter: 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh. The Long Range (LR) battery has a 473 km range, while the smaller battery has an ARAI-claimed range of 390 km.
The Carens Clavis EV’s stated range of 490 km, which is 17 km greater than the Creta Electric, is probably due to the larger battery pack. The Creta Electric is also anticipated to share the 171 horsepower/255 Nm front axle electric motor.
Right now, the only noticeable outward modifications are new dual-tone, aero-efficient alloy wheels and a slightly modified front bumper. The charging plug is now on the nose of the regular Carens Clavis, which already featured a sealed-off fascia. It also receives new ice-cube LED fog lighting and a new silver garnish directly beneath the charging flap.
Being an EV, the central console has been updated with a new floating design on the inside. There is a new wireless charging pad with a few controls in front of it, and the lack of a gear lever appears to have freed up a lot of storage space. The two 12.3-inch panels on the dashboard are still mainly the same, although Kia has modified the colour palette for the EV model.
It’s unclear if a 6-seater arrangement, similar to the top-spec ICE-powered Clavis, will be available for the Carens Clavis EV, which has only been teased in a 7-seater version thus far. The Kia Carens Clavis EV will compete with the BYD eMax 7 in our market when it launches. Prices for the Carens Clavis EV should be comparable to those of the Creta Electric, which ranges from Rs 17.99 lakh to Rs 24.38 lakh (ex-showroom).