Ssangyong News

One in four SUVs still lack rear view cameras – even though the technology is now standard on a $14,990 hatchback.

Ssangyong has released a first look at its new XLV concept ahead of a global debut at Geneva motor show in March, and even in the stylised images the vehicle looks close to a production model.The XLV points to a new compact crossover expected to arrive in 2015, offering seating for up to seven -- although it may not feature the concept's novel arrangement in which the seventh seat slides back and forth between the second and third rows.Ssangyong's product hasn't been known for its beauty. But the XLV -- following on from the XIV-1 concept unveiled at Frankfurt in 2011 and the XIV-2 at Geneva in 2012 -- is making an effort to change that.Further developing their 'Nature born 3 motion' design language, the XLV looks to be a handsome vehicle. The images don't reveal whether, like the XIV-1, it's done away with B-pillar but we can see well-judged character lines and a visually sharp rake that streamlines the flow of the wide C-pillar.It's grown in length from the previous concept, now measuring 4430mm tip to tail, 1845mm wide and 1600mm high on a 2600mm wheelbase. If those dimensions survive to production, it will have the XLV face off against the likes of the Nissan Dualis and likely undercut its starting price of $25,990.The show car is powered by a hybrid system, comprised of a 1.6-litre diesel engine and a small electric motor with lithium-ion battery pack, but no outputs or performance figures have been revealed.However the production version is likely to at least offer choices of conventional petrol and diesel engines similar to the 111kW/191Nm 2.0-litre petrol and 129kW/360Nm 2.0-litre diesel in the current Korando.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The mid-sized SUV is being given another freshen in the nose and tail, for likely sales in the final quarter of this year.

The price of the new Korando S petrol model which comes with a manual transmission as standard is $23,990 drive away. This new model is a move away from Ssangyong's diesel only Australian model line-up, while its price signals the company's determination to succeed in the increasingly competitive SUV segment. The Korando's 2.0 litre petrol engine produces 109 kW and 191 Nm with Ssangyong claiming combined fuel consumption of just 7.5 litres/100km (6.2L highway and 9.7L around town). The vehicle's standard features include six airbags, electronic stability control, Bluetooth and a CD/MP3 player. Cruise control, reverse sensors, leather steering wheel are also standard. A six speed automatic transmission is available as a $2000 option. All Korandos sold in Australia via Ssangyong's national dealer network are covered by a five year 100,000km warranty and five years of 24/7 roadside assist.  

The brand has been picked up by one of Australia's most aggressive vehicle distributors. Ateco Automotive, which distributes Citroen, Great Wall, Chery and Lotus - and under an associate firm, Ferrari and Maserati - promises new prices, new models and a change to the diesel-only philosophy. It took over Ssangyong's national distributorship from Sime Darby this week ahead of handing Citroen to Sime Darby in January. Ateco also took control of Foton light to medium truck range in Australia. The truck range - but not the Foton ute models - was relinquished by Transpacific Western Star. Ateco is now setting up dealers for the trucks and is planning to expand into the heavy-duty truck market. Ssangyong has driven a tough road in Australia despite budget pricing and claims of value for money. In the year to September, it has sold only 32 vehicles - the same number as Lamborghini and one-third of the sales of Maserati. Ateco spokesman Daniel Cotterill says new models are planned. “We have made adjustments to the range including overturning the former importer's diesel-only policy,” he says. “So we expect the first of the Ateco-spec vehicles to get here in early 2013 and they will include diesel, petrol and petrol automatic SUVs.” Mr Cotterill says prices of the 2013 range will be competitive though “there's still currency fluctuations to deal with”. “We have about 300 vehicles being handed over to us this week by Sime Darby and there are others in stock - and I don't have this figure yet - at the 28 national dealerships,” he says. “The existing vehicles will be sold at very competitive prices.” He says the best example is the Korando SPR which is $29,990, down from $38,775. “We have ambitious growth targets,” he says of Ssangyong. “We have a simple approach - give people what they want; get the right dealer network; and sell the vehicles at the right price.” Ateco plans to boost Ssangyong dealerships to 60 within 12 months. It now has 28 dealerships and seven parts and service outlets. Next year Ateco plans to sell an updated Rexton, Koranda and Stavic people mover - the latter now claimed to be restyled after years of taunts about its convoluted design. Mr Cotterill says under the ownership of Indian conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra, Ssangyong has a strong future with excellent financial underpinnings and access to further capital. “Mahindra is investing in Ssangyong,” he says. “For us, that means up-to-date vehicles and continuity of supply.” Though owned by the Indian company, Ssangyong continues to make its vehicles in South Korea. Ateco's control of Foton trucks allows access to China's biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer. Foton has joint-venture arrangements with companies including Daimler AG. It makes Daimler Mercedes-Benz medium and heavy trucks under the Auman name - he badge that will be used by Ateco in Australia. Auman trucks use China-made Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty engines that are rated at Euro-5 emissions. The Foton utes will continue to be sold through Queensland company FAA Automotive Australia.  

After earlier XIV and KEV concepts, it has the e-XIV - for electric exciting user interface vehicle - to show its thinking on a range-extender vehicle, complete with a solar roof panel to power the car's auxiliary electrical systems. It uses a combined 1.0-litre petrol engine and electric power pack to provide a range of 600 kilometres, similar to the Audi range-extender system also on show in Paris. The e-XIV also shows Ssangyong's latest design direction in a mid-sized SUV, although there is no confirmation yet of any plan to take the vehicle - or its mechanical package - forward for production. The Korean car brand is being primed for a renewed push in Australia. A new importer is promising big things for a brand which is best known for its blunt-but-effective four-wheel drives and a one-time tie-up with Mercedes-Benz. Ssangyong is working hard on the home front, including a range-extender hybrid concept unveiled at the Paris motor show, and Neville Crichton says there is plenty of untapped potential in Australia. "I think the product is good. I think it's been badly represented. And I think we've got quite a good future with it," Crichton reveals to Carsguide at the Paris show. The chief of the giant Ateco import group - which holds local rights to everything from Ferrari to Chery - has just taken on Ssangyong after losing its Fiat-Alfa Romeo and Citroen franchises. "We needed something to take up the loss of Citroen. But it is totally independent of Ateco. I own the company, but it's outside of Ateco," Crichton says. "At this stage, we're putting a staff together right now." He is sticking with the current Ssangyong lineup - Korando and Actyon SUVs, Actyon ute and Stavic people mover - and believes they can get the job done. "I think it's got upside. It's not going to be Hyundai or Kia, but it's got upside," Crichton says. "The positioning will be above the Chinese and a little below the Japanese. It will be mainly the old product range. "I don't think it's been done right, and I've thought that for quite some time. I talked to Ssangyong years ago about the UK market. The official changeover occurs on November 1 but Crichton say things will not get into top gear until February of next year. The brand has already recorded a 22.4 per cent sales improvement through August this year and Crichton has a proven track record with Korean companies after taking Kia from 5000 to 26,000 before selling the rights back to the company.  

South Korea’s SsangYong is preparing its third iteration of its XIV line of concepts for this month’s Paris Auto Show, previewing the vehicle today with these three teaser images. The new concept will go by the name e-XIV, the small “e” denoting this one will be powered by an electric drivetrain. Like the previous two, SsangYong’s latest XIV concept previews a new compact crossover whose focus will be on smart design and user interactivity. The name XIV, in fact, is an acronym for eXciting user Interface Vehicle. As the name suggests, each of the concepts feature an advanced user interface system that incorporates the controls for all major cabin functions and can be accessed via a mobile device. SsangYong hopes the feature will help the vehicle appeal to younger buyers, especially those already used to staying up-to-date via smartphones and other mobile devices. The e-XIV drops the previous models’ gasoline engines in favor of an extended-range electric drivetrain, though no specs have been released. A roof-mounted solar panel is fitted, likely to be used for powering ancillary features in the vehicle. Overall dimensions come in at 13.6 feet in length, 5.9 feet in width, 5.2 feet in height, and with a wheelbase of 8.5 feet. With SsangYong products currently off limits for the U.S., there’s little chance of a production XIV ever making it to local showrooms. A launch overseas could happen next year. www.motorauthority.com  

The Korando beat strong competition from the likes of Volvo, Hyundai and Kia to win first place in the ScanCovery Trial -- an extreme 7000km race from the North Pole to the Netherlands.  The ScanCovery Trial kicked off last year with the second (annual) event taking place recently. It is a new type of motorsport where competitors race on ordinary roads and must observe the local driving regulations. Participating vehicles require a high level of durability to withstand the rigorous conditions, including snow and ice in temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero. Although more than 60 teams commenced the race, many teams did not make it to the end due to extremely unfavourable conditions and fatigue. The Ssangyong racing team completed the race without a single problem or incident, with the racers praising Korando for its comfort and agility. The race stresses the importance of observing local driving regulations. Each traffic violation accumulates a specific penalty point. The Ssangyong Team scored 136 points, which was much lower than its competitors. The Korando is a compact SUV, available here from $27,990.  

It's more a renovation than a reconstruction, but the Indian-owned, Korean-built ute gets its 2-litre turbo-diesel engine a tweaking to broaden its torque band, and a 14kW increase in power to 114kW.The Actyon Sports ute comes in three versions - entry-level Tradie, mid-range SX and top of the range SPR - with the Tradie and SX available in 2WD or 4WD versions with a choice of a new six-speed manual transmission or a redesigned six-speed automatic.The SPR comes only as a 4WD automatic. Ssangyong says fuel economy and emissions are improved. The 2WD Tradie and SX manual models claim an average of 7.3 litres/100km and the 4WD manual has 7.4 L/100km. The automatic 2WD claims 7.6 L/100km and the SPR is 7.9 L/100km.Standard kit on all models includes Bluetooth, trip computer, USB/iPod connectivity, airconditioning, heated side mirrors and windscreen and a liner for the tray.But to get electronic stability control, buyers have to go to the SX or SPR models. These two also get alloy wheels, cruise control and a leather-bound steering wheel.The SPR model adds leather seats, climate control for the airconditioning, rear park sensors, 18-inch alloys, electric front seats, folding side mirrors, electronic dimming rear-view mirror, auto wipers and auto headlights, and headlamp levelling device.Externally the ute has some new panels and grille and is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. The Actyon Sports Dual Cab Ute starts at $26,990 drive away and has a three-year or 100,000km warranty with three years roadside assist.

The production version will be launched in various body styles including five and three door, coupe and an extended body version.The XIV-2 is a premium convertible CUV (crossover utility vehicle), and follows in the tracks of SsangYong's XIV-1 show car, first shown at Frankfurt last eyar.Evolving the idea behind the first generation concept, XIV-2 (eXciting User Interface Vehicle 2) has been developed into a vehicle that offers `a special experience with fun'.Central to that fun element is an advanced convertible roof to give driver and passengers a rich `wind in the hair' experience whether travelling on or off road.XIV-2 has harnessed every element of the company's design and engineering expertise from its inception. B segment in size, this CUV retains at its core a dynamic, robust SUV and has been tailored through global design clinics to appeal to young drivers in their twenties.Environmental considerations are also at the heart of the design, and the car will be equipped with various highly fuel efficient, low CO2 technologies including: EuroVI compliant 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, efficient six-speed manual or automatic transmission and idle stop and go.SsangYong is gaining a reputation in Europe for creative, futuristic and advanced designs.