Ssangyong's next Stavic revealed

Korean car-maker Ssangyong has confirmed its all-new Stavic people-mover will be on sale from early this year, revealing these sketches ahead of the car's official unveiling.

The Stavic is a seven-seat people-mover that competes in the same market segment as vehicles like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Tarago, but has never sold in significant numbers in Australia, possibly due to its unorthodox design.

Ssangyong sold just 37 Stavics in 2012, which compares poorly to fellow Korean people-mover and Australia’s top-selling people-mover, the Kia Carnival, which found 3676 customers during the same period.

However, the new Stavic could prove far more popular by sporting a contemporary new look that is streets ahead of its predecessor’s.

Called the Rodius and Korando Turismo in some overseas markets, Ssangyong says the contemporary new Stavic will be powered by 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and 3.2-litre petrol engines and is "scheduled to be launched globally in early 2013".

The 2.0-litre oiler is likely to be the same unit from the Korando SUV, which pumps out a healthy 114kW/360Nm.

Daniel Cotterill, Ssangyong Automotive Australia's spokesman, told motoring.com.au that the new look Stavic will be coming to Australia later in 2013.

"We are planning to continue with Stavic. I would think you'd see that perhaps in the third quarter this year," he said, but cautioned that specifications are not yet decided.

"We may not take both of those engines, it depends what's most suitable for the Australian market," said Mr Cotterill.

Asked if the updated design will improve attitudes and sales towards the Stavic, he replied "Asbolutely, yeah of course".

"What you're seeing with Ssangyong more generally and not just in regards to that model, is that [parent company] Mahindra is investing more heavily in the development of new models and the styling changes that you with these new vehicles are more mainstream and consistent across the range," said Mr Cotterill.

Few other details about the new model have been confirmed, such as gearbox options or safety technology. Instead, Ssangyong is focussing on the new design language that embodies a "Robust, Premium, Specialty" look and feel.

However, the Asian car company says the new model has been designed for "outdoor, off-road driving as well as on-road driving", which hints that an all-wheel drive version could be on the cards.

SsangYong Automotive Australia is the local distributor of the vehicles in Australia. Owned by Ateco Automotive, which is also responsible for brands such as Chery and Great Wall Motors, SAA took over the reins from Malaysian group Sime Darby on November 1, 2012.

The mainstays of the Ssangyong fleet in Australia are the Actyon Sports ute and Korando compact SUV, with the latter accounting for the lion's share of the brand's 920 sales in 2012.

The new importer plans to increase Ssangyong sales in Australia significantly in 2013, primarily by growing the dealer network and introducing new models including the redesigned Stavic.