Ssyangyong unveils Rextron at Auto Expo, all details & pics

Ssyangyong displayed a mix of new models and concept vehicles at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Rextron which will see its India debut this year was shown along with the Actyon sports pick-up, XIV and KEV2 Concepts. The XIV-1 Concept is SsangYong’s vision of its next-gen crossover.

SangYong will start assembling sport-utility vehicles in India late this year to avoid high import tariffs imposed on completely built units.

SsangYong plans to assemble the Rexton SUV with a 2.7-liter diesel engine starting from the second half and in 2013, the Korando C SUV with a 2.0-liter diesel. They will be built at the Mahindra ‘s Chakan plant near the city of Pune, Mr. Lee said, adding that the CKDs will be shipped from SsangYong’s Pyeongtaek, South Korea plant.

“India will be the first [completely knocked-down units] market for SsangYong and Russia will be the next from 2013. Both governments impose hefty tariffs on CBUs,” SsangYong Motor President Lee Yoo-il said.

SsangYong hopes to sell a combined 10,000 Rexton and Korando C a year from 2013, Mr. Lee said. It hopes it can sell between 5,000 and 6,000 Rexton SUVs a year.

Images of Rextron

Mahindra and SsangYong plan to spend under one trillion won ($863 million) to launch four new cars by 2016 and revamp five models by 2013. Four new “platforms will be jointly developed and the development costs will be shared,” said Mr. Lee, who also serves as chief executive of Mahindra.

More on the XIV-1

The XIV-1 is a concept car that represents Ssangyong’s design capabilities for premium crossover utility vehicles. Its renderings were released in August. The XIV-1, which stands for “eXciting user Interface Vehicle-1,” is equipped with an advanced user interface that enables drivers to use mobile devices such as smart phones to check information on and control the car, realizing a genuine Mobile Auto System without limits on time and place.

The XIV-1 boasts a full-length glass roof separate from pillars, and its flank design, inspired by the design lines of a yacht, highlights agility, speed and driving pleasure. Its front design incorporates the robust image of the Korando and embodies Ssangyong’s design philosophy, “Robust Aesthetic Realization.”

The headlights, resembling the humorous smile of Korean traditional masks, are made with LED bulbs and the rear lights have three bars, highlighting simplicity and ensuring clarity of the driver’s intention. To enhance driver convenience, the XIV-1 uses an open tailgate with an upper part that can be pushed up, and a lower part that can be pushed down.

Its instrument panel is simple and easy to manipulate, possessing a bilateral symmetry that gives the driver a strong sense of stability. The center fascia is made of aluminum to add visual and tactile comfort and a sense of luxury. Pillarless doors make the car look more spacious and mood lighting that covers the whole interior of the car creates a unique interior atmosphere.

To satisfy diverse customer needs in the global market, Ssangyong Motor has held concept and design clinics, reflecting ideas generated from these clinics in vehicle design and development.

Building on the XIV-1, Ssangyong will develop an extensive product lineup, including the new concept Range Extended EV, and build up the company’s distinctive design capabilities through development of new concepts and research on the future-oriented infotainment system.

More on the KEV2 concept

Ssangyong unveiled the KEV2 Concept at the motor show in Seoul, a 100% electric concept car based on recent Korando. The KEV2 is a compact SUV powered by an electric motor delivering 120 kW (163 hp). According to the automaker, the batteries by 35 kWh should provide a range up to 180 km when those are fully charged, this action require 8 hours or 30 minutes for a quick charging but getting a lower range. Ssangyong KEV2 Concept is 4.4 meters long, 1.69 wide and 1.86 high, the KEV2 has more or less the size of the “sister” Korando, weighs 1,750 kg and has a top speed of 150 Km/h.

Images of the Ssyangyong Actyon