Mainstream Charge

Kia has fully electrified the Carens Clavis and, in doing so, has become the first brand to launch a sub-Rs 20-lakh three-row passenger vehicle in India. We drive it on the outskirts of Bengaluru

- Story: Jim Gorde

BRINGING IN AN ALL-ELECTRIC VERSION of a car that was introduced just weeks ago speaks volumes about the commitment to deliver quality mobility to the seekers of silent drive and instantaneous torque. Yes, the electric push has been gaining momentum and the market share of electric vehicles (EV) has more than doubled over the past year. With the domestic mass market restricted to offerings from a handful of brands until recently, there was still a gaping void in the seven-seater space below Rs 20 lakh. Enter Kia. And the Carens Clavis EV.

At first glance, there is almost nothing to differentiate the EV from its combustion-engine counterpart once you get past the more closed-off face, the active air flaps, and the nose-boop charging-port cover—and, of course, the green number-plate. The proportions, lines, lighting elements, and even the wheel sizes are similar. The overall length is still 4,550 millimetres and the wheelbase is still 2,780 mm. It's still 1,800 mm wide and 1,708 mm tall and offers the same 216-litre all-rows-up boot capacity as well. So, what's different? Well, there are more subtle differences. The wheel design is different, depending on the variant—there are four variants in total, for now—with the two standard-range variants (HTK+ and HTX), equipped with 16-inch wheels and the long-range HTX and HTX+, the latter of which we have here, getting 17-inchers. These optimized surface elements have led to a lower drag coefficient of 0.29 compared to the engine-bearing Clavis’ 0.32 value. There is also a 25-litre “frunk” which is useful for storing up to 10 kilograms, but is stuffed with the charging kit here.