Korea’s SsangYong will add a third member to its XIV mini-SUV family of concepts at the Paris motor show later this month.
The e-XIV range extender three-door follows on from the five-door XIV-1 that debuted at Frankfurt in 2011 and XIV-2 cloth top, which was shown at Geneva last March. The XIVs preview a production CUV (or crossover utility vehicle as SsangYong dubs it) that is due to go on sale in 2014 targeted at young drivers. It will be the first all-new model developed by SsangYong under the ownership of Mahindra & Mahindra. The Indian firm rescued the SUV specialist from its 2009 bankruptcy after former owner SAIC walked away.
SsangYong is planning to launch XIV in two body lengths and five-door, three-door and coupe styles. Both petrol and diesel 1.6-litre engines mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions will also be available. A choice of front and all-wheel drive is also expected to be part of the package, along with Idle Stop and Go (ISG).
The e-XIV previews a planned range extender petrol-electric hybrid production model while a pure electric version is also said to be in the works.
SsangYong has provided little information to go with its preview images of the e-XIV, apart from confirming a small petrol engine is used to ‘self-charge’ the electrical drive system. No engine, motor or battery specifications are supplied. It does reveal roof-mounted solar cell panels mounted in the glass roof supply free electricity.
The e-XIV measures up at 4160mm long, 1790mm wide and1575mm high. These dimensions are very close to its XIV predecessors while all three share the same 2600mm wheelbase.
Nissan’s wildly successful Juke – which is expected in Australia in 2013 - is 4125mm long, 1765mm wide, 1570mm high and rides on a 2530mm wheelbase. So no doubt what the XIV is targeting!
The XIV acronym stands for eXciting user Interface Vehicle, and in concept form at least the concepts have featured a significant amount of media device interactivity. The exterior style of each has evolved slightly as SsangYong develops a new design language.
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