PARIS MOTOR SHOW: SsangYong LIV-2 concept revealed

SsangYong has pulled the drapes off an all-new SUV flagship that will replace its current Rexton.

Called the LIV-2 (Limitless Interface Vehicle), the large SUV has been created by the Korean brand as a rival for cars like the Holden Captiva, Mazda's CX-9 and the Kia Sorento.

Like the old Rexton, the LIV-2 is based around a traditional ladder-frame chassis rather than a more sophisticated monocoque platform. According to SsangYong, its SUV's tougher and more durable underpinnings will see it excel off-road and give it a class best towing capacity.

Unlike the last car, the Rexton's replacement is aiming to push the Korean manufacturer upmarket. That's why the show car is painted in a matte white finish, with white leather massage seats, electronic sidesteps and large 22-inch wheels.

As well as the added luxury the big SUV also comes with a new infotainment system that incorporates a 9.2-inch centrally mounted touch screen that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The rear passengers, in the concept car, literally look forward to twin 10.1-inch screens in the headrests.

Under the bonnet, the production LIV-2 will come with either a 166kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol or a 133kW/420Nm 2.2-litre diesel. Both engines come combined with Mercedes-Benz' seven-speed automatic transmission.

Safety will also take a huge leap forward with the next-gen Rexton with all models coming with nine airbags and the option of emergency autonomous braking, plus lane departure warning and blind spot detection.

The LIV-2 is likely to be renamed 'Rexton' before it goes on sale next year in 2017.

As well as the LIV-2 concept, SsangYong also announced at its press conference at the Paris motor show it was celebrating 110,000 global sales of its small Tivoli and Tivoli XLV SUV.

On sale for just over 20 months, the small Mazda CX-5-rival will also be upgraded for 2017, says SsangYong, with all models gaining emergency autonomous braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, high-beam assistance and traffic sign recognition.

For the model updates the Tivoli's steering wheel also now adjusts for both reach and rake while front ventilation has been improved.

It was hoped the small budget-priced SUV would make it Down Under until negotiations reportedly hit the buffers between SsangYong and the Korean company's Australian importer, Ateco Automotive, with both parties reportedly failing to reach a "competitive price" for the Tivoli.