Frankfurt show: SsangYong sketches mini-Evoque

SSANGYONG has released more images of the all-new city-SUV concept it will debut at the Frankfurt motor show on September 13, where the rejuvenated South Korean maker will also stage the world premiere of the redesigned SUT-1 dual-cab ute due on sale in Australia early next year.

First revealed three weeks ago in two backlit sketches as the XUV-1 concept, SsangYong now calls its B-segment concept the XIV-1 – derived from ‘eXciting user Interface Vehicle’ – and says it was designed to showcase its design and engineering talents.

If it enters production under the stewardship of SsangYong’s new owner Mahindra & Mahindra, however, expect the all-new Mitsubishi ASX and Nissan Dualis rival to slot into the SsangYong range beneath the new Korando compact SUV, a petrol-engined version of which will also be shown at Frankfurt for the first time.

Launched here in February, the new-generation C-segment Korando SUV is currently priced from $27,990 driveaway, while the smaller Dualis and ASX kick in from $24,990 and $25,990 respectively, plus on-road costs.

The XIV-1 takes obvious styling cues from the new Range Rover Evoque, including a wraparound wedge-shaped glasshouse with concealed A and B-pillars, and will be presented in Frankfurt by SsangYong Motor president Yoo Il Lee.

Left: Original sketches of SsangYong 'XUV-1'. Below: SUT-1.

SangYong says the XIV-1, which also features a clamshell bonnet design, rear ‘suicide’ doors and A-pillar mounted wing mirrors, represents a “glimpse into the near future” that will “focus on interaction with the driver and passenger.”

Its cabin has an unconventional seating layout, offering 1+1+2 or 1+3 configurations that SsangYong says challenges conventional interior design thinking and highlights the flexibility available from the company’s latest platform technology.

All major cabin functions are controlled via mobile devices and smart instruments, while access to the interior is made via a coach-style door.

“All this versatility comes within the confines of a compact B-segment-sized vehicle, a sector which has experienced rapid growth in crossover models in recent years,” the company said.

“Offering the high seating position and rugged feel of a full-sized SUV without any compromise in running costs, crossover models on a supermini scale are fast becoming the ideal motoring solution for today’s driver.”

The SUT-1 sports pick-up, meantime, will appear in Frankfurt in full production trim for the first time, before it replaces SsangYong’s Actyon Sports dual-cab ute in Australia in the first quarter of next year.

First seen in concept form at the Geneva show in March, the SUT-1 is said to present the dynamism and strength of the SsangYong brand by applying modern design techniques to the traditional pick-up body style.

“Balancing the need for load volume and attractive lines, SUT-1 is the ideal vehicle for a wide variety of drivers who enjoy leisure activities such as camping, skiing and cycling or just need a hard working truck,” said SsangYongForging ahead under Mahindra ownership after emerging from court-administered receivership earlier this year, SsangYong could also use the Frankfurt show to demonstrate its work in alternative powertrains by revealing advanced prototypes based on the Korando ahead of small-scale production for fleet trials.

While the SUT-1 has been confirmed for Australian release, both the XIV-1 city crossover and a forthcoming 2013 mid-size SUV replacement for both the Kyron and Rexton wagons – codenamed D200 – could be based on the same new monococque platform that will underpin Mahindra’s upcoming XUV500 SUV.

SsangYong is also known to be developing a range of passenger cars, and recently applied price changes across its Australian model line-up, apart from the Korando and Actyon Sports ute.

Effective from July, the Stavic people-mover is now priced between $588 and $763 (1.6 and 1.8 per cent) higher at $36,578 drive-away for the SV270 manual (auto: $39,653 drive-away) and $43,753 drive-away for the SV270 SPR auto.

Prices are also up, by between $438 and $638 (1.5 and 1.7 per cent), for the Actyon wagon range, which now costs $30,428 drive-away for the A200 manual (auto: $33,503 drive-away) and $38,628 drive-away for the A200 SPR auto.

Similarly, the Rexton wagon is between $688 and $1003 (1.7 and 1.9 per cent) more expensive at $40,678 drive-away for the RX270 manual (auto: $43,753 drive-away) and $53,493 drive-away for the RX270 SPR auto.

Finally, pricing is down – by between $774 and $808 (2.0 and 2.4 per cent) - for the Kyron wagon at $32,216 drive-away for the M200 manual (auto: $35,204 drive-away) and $39,182 drive-away for the M200 SPR auto.

Thanks largely to 361 sales of the new Korando in 2011, SsangYong sales are up by 29.3 per cent so far this year.