SsangYong

Crossover, 4x4, SUV, News, Family Car

SsangYong to launch XLV in Geneva

SsangYong will reveal a new extended Tivoli XLV at the Geneva Motor Show.

Providing more carrying capacity and practicality, the Tivoli XLV was shown as the XLV Air concept in Frankfurt last year, and following ‘extremely favourable feedback’ the company has decided put the car into production.

Sharing the same platform as the Tivoli, the XLV features a lengthened body from behind the C pillar, an increase of 235mm over the standard car, expanding the load capacity to 720 cubic litres of space. Meanwhile, the styling cues that distinguish Tivoli are retained. It will be offered with a choice of a Euro 6 compliant 1.6 litre petrol or 1.6 litre diesel engines, mated to the option of a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed Aisin automatic, two-wheel drive or four wheel drive. UK specification is yet to be determined.

SsangYong will also showcase a SIV-2 concept (Smart Interface Vehicle) midsize premium SUV at the show. As the next iteration on from the SIV-1 concept which was shown at Geneva in 2013, this takes a step further under the design concept of ‘Dynamic Motion’.

Based on SsangYong’s development theme of ‘Robust, Specialty, Premium’, this new concept pursues the emotional interface between the driver and car, and will evolve to become a key strategic model within the SsangYong range.

The SIV-2 is a mild hybrid, powered by a 1.5 litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine combined with a 10kW electric motor-generator and a 500Wh lithium ion battery. This creates a 48V mild hybrid system which offers quiet and efficient driving, reduced CO2 emissions and silent running when idling and at slow speeds.

This eco-friendly concept features a lightweight body, a low centre of gravity and a chassis and suspension system that can be further developed to create alternative models with high efficiency powertrains such as HEV, PHEV and EV.

4x4, SUV, News

SsangYong adds 4x4 to Tivoli

Suzuki has confirmed it is adding a more sporting and dynamic model to the Vitara line up.

The Vitara 'S' model is equipped with 17-inch Gloss black alloy wheels, a unique grille design, satin silver door mirrors, LED Headlamps with red projector covers, rear upper spoiler and black side body mouldings. On the inside the sporting theme continues with red interior stitching, red accents for air conditioning vent and instruments and aluminium alloy pedals.

The Vitara S is available in Bright Red (solid colour), Cool White Pearl metallic, Galactic Grey metallic, Cosmic Black metallic and is the first Suzuki to be powered by the new 'BOOSTERJET technology' engine which, in the Vitara, is a 140PS 1.4-litre Direct Injection turbocharged unit (DITC).

The newly developed BOOSTERJET engine features improved fuel efficiency using a small displacement, high torque turbocharger. By controlling the wastegate valve, the system reduces pumping loss, thus achieving high levels of both power and fuel-efficiency - combined fuel consumption comes in at 52.3mpg for the manual transmission model. With a 0-62mph time of 10.2 seconds for both manual and automatic transmissions, the maximum speed where permitted is 124mph.

A six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard with optimised gear ratios to help provide a good combination of performance and fuel economy. Additional measures include a shift lever counterweight to 'help provide a smooth, positive shift action'. A six-speed automatic transmission is available optionally.

CO2 emissions for the new S model with its standard ALLGRIP system and manual transmission is 127g/km and one gram higher for the optional automatic transmission. The ALLGRIP system is fitted as standard on the new S model and has four driver-selectable modes - Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock.

The new Suzuki Vitara S model goes on sale in the UK from January 2016, priced at £20,899 for manual and £22,249 for the automatic version.