▪ European launch of new Rodius
▪ World premiere of the SIV-1 crossover utility vehicle (CUV) concept

Ssangyong Motor (CEO Lee Yoo-il;www.kg-mobility.com), part of the US$15.9 billion Mahindra Group, presents seven vehicles on its stand at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show 2013 held in the Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland, March 5 (Press day) until March 17. This includes the European launch of the new Rodius (known as Korando Turismo in Korea), the world premiere of the SIV-1 concept, Korando, Rexton and Actyon Sports.

New Rodius

SsangYong is proud to announce the launch its new Rodius into Europe. This practical APV (All Purpose Vehicle) has been developed to provide the flexibility of a recreational vehicle (RV), the styling of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and the ride comfort of a luxury saloon. It is designed with European consumers in mind and suitable for family, leisure and business travel.

The new Rodius is powered by an e-XDi200 engine offering maximum power of 155ps/4,000rpm and maximum torque of 360Nm/1,500~2,800rpm to provide low end torque whatever the conditions on or off road.

Adopted from the SsangYong Chairman W - the luxury executive saloon car – the multi-link rear suspension offers a quiet driving environment yet with firm body motion control. It also helps ensure stability regardless of the road conditions by allowing independent movement of the wheels.

State-of-the-art safety technology such as ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ARP (Active Roll over Protection) and dual front and side airbags are included, reflecting European consumers’ demands for high levels of safety.

The modern interior offers the choice of two smart colourways, Tiffany Grey and Sepia Beige to reflect the added refinement in the car’s interior. A high level of convenience also features including a supervision instrument cluster, digital trip computer and Bluetooth connectivity.

SsangYong SIV-1 concept

SsangYong reveals its SIV-1 (Smart Interface Vehicle) mid-size premium CUV (crossover utility vehicle) concept at the show. The car is based on a ‘Smart Interface’ concept, and is the next iteration of a design series first seen as the user interface XIV presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is designed to embody the brand’s philosophy of ‘Robust, Specialty, Premium’, while pursuing an emotional connection with consumers.

SIV-1 is formed through SsangYong’s new design philosophy of ’Nature Born 3 Motion’ – the dignified, dynamic, rhythmical and fluid movements found in nature.

SIV-1’s exterior design embraces the multi-purpose styling cues of a ‘crossover’ to satisfy the numerous different demands of customers. It adopts the all-in-one concept of the crossover while incorporating many other design elements of other vehicle types.

Intense character lines in the body and the voluminous rear bumper represent the dynamism found in the birth of life. The wide C pillar separated by the greenhouse style molding and roof line, hints at a concurrent sensation of speed and robustness to highlight the sportiness of the vehicle. The simple yet bold front, rear and strong, energetic sides embody SsangYong’s robust styling. The radiator grille is organically blended with and separated from the head lamps, tilting at the vitality of nature. The bold division of the rear defines the car’s dynamism by flowing sidelines all the way to the rear.

The interior design is spacious and as dynamic as the car’s exterior. Young, sporty and contemporary sensations are created with the metallic centre fascia and bilaterally symmetrical instrument panel, together with state-of-the-art IT devices embracing a futuristic environment. Four independent bucket seats engender the sporty yet safe spirit of driving you would expect from a sports coupé.

Emotional connection with technology manifests itself in the Mobile Auto System which allows mobile communication devices such as smart phones and tablets to be automatically recognised on the car’s control screen to operate GPS or music players, while vehicle control is also possible to create the optimised driving environment before entering the car. The passenger seat can also be synchronised with the same settings as the driver’s seat.

This car is the realisation of long pursued ‘Multi Interface Vehicle’ architecture, designed to enrich the lives of people by offering the new concept of a ‘venue for communication on the move’ by converging a car with new technologies and IT.

The CEO of SsangYong, Yoo-il Lee, said, “We are delighted to be launching the new Rodius in Europe so soon after its announcement in Korea, as well as staging the world premiere of our premium CUV concept SIV-1 at the first major international motor show of the year. Despite the current economy across much of Europe, we have every confidence in the SsangYong brand proposition, and its strengthening position in the global marketplace.”