Ssangyong Concept XUV 1 Frankfurt debut

Ssangyong are to debut a new concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the ingeniously-named Ssangyong Concept XUV1.

Not content with rolling out an all-new SsangYong Korando Crossover, Mahindra & Maghindra’s newly-revived Korean enterprise is now out to tackle the likes of the Nissan Juke, with a new concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month –  the Ssangyong Concept XUV1.

Sangyong has sent us three teaser images of the Concept XUV1, but we’ve just run the one. Why? Well, they all tell us not a lot, and the image above – after a bit of Photoshop levels – is the only one that really tells us anything.

Ssangyong say the XUV 1 (really, couldn’t they have come up with a more original name – its sounds like a 1980s PC?) is B-Segment in size – a very sensible market to pitch at. With buyers downsizing, but still liking a bit of high-riding butchness, it’s a good place to try and bag some market share. There’s also a lot less badge snobbery at this level too.

With a wraparound windscreen that visually extends the glass area round to the C-Pillars, Ssangyong say they’re aiming for imposing without aggressive as a look. Which sounds impossible to pull off in something small, and an odd aim when buyers at this level seem to want butch and aggressive-looking.

Ssangyong have decided to describe the XUV 1 as a premium CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) which is going to be a tough act to pull off with a brand name that shouts ‘Premium’ with all the force of an asthmatic dormouse.

Inside the XUV 1 is said to boast a unique seating layout, with the choice of 1+1+2 or 1+3 seating - although we don’t get to see that yet – and, as we’ve been expecting for some time at the lower end of the market – the XUV 1 taps in to the power of Smartphones to provide a chunk of functionality.

Apart from the daft name (which we hope won’t carry over to any production model) and a slightly odd focus, the Ssangyong XUV 1 seems a sensible route to go to revive fortunes.

Full details will arrive at Frankfurt on 13th September, if not before.