Third-gen Kia Carens for Paris world premiere

Kia is closer to revealing the next iteration of its Carens compact MPV, built on an “all-new platform” (same as the cee’d, and likely the same engine choices), at the upcoming Paris motor show. The Korean company says the third-gen Carens, available with five or seven seats, is targeted at active families who don’t want to compromise between style and practicality. It is expected to go on sale in Europe next spring.

“The new Carens features more athletic and visually dynamic design,” CEO Hyoung-Keun Lee said. “This brings the model in line with Kia’s current design direction” – indeed, it’s the final model in the current line-up to get the Peter Schreyer treatment.

We understand from Autocar that in the UK, the third-gen Carens will replace both the current model and the bigger Sedona, which was discontinued last year, but Edmunds Inside Line reports that on the other side of the Atlantic, it previews the next Sedona, which Kia is expected to revive in the US in 2014.

Also set for Kia’s Paris show stand is the pro_cee’d – also making its world debut – and the Optima Hybrid and updated Sorento, both of which will be making their European debut.