SsangYong XAVL 7-Seat SUV Concept teased ahead of Geneva with first photos

Ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, we get the first photos of the SsangYong XAVL Concept, a new seven-seat SUV addition to Ssangyong’s range.

Ssangyong is becoming long on concepts and a bit short on turning them in to production models, and this – the Ssangyong XAVL Concept – could be another case of the lost production version.

Following on from yet another concept – the XAV at Frankfurt in 2015, and the 7-seat XLV at Geneva the year before (and the XLV-1 and e-XLV and Convertible XLV…) – the XAVL looks to be a competitor (if it gets made) for fellow Korean competition like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. Or maybe it’s aiming higher with the Discovery Sport?

The convoluted nomenclature for this concept apparently stands for eXciting Authentic Vehicle Long SUV, and Ssangyong tell us it’s got a masculine look and the convenience of an MPV, despite its SUV looks. 

The promise extends to comfortably accommodating seven passengers, lots of wide inner space, great connectivity and digital display. There’s also safety stuff to protect not just the occupants, but pedestrians too.

Interestingly, although it may be several years away, Ssangyong is declaring the XAVL is powered by both petrol and ‘new clean-burning diesel’ engines.

Although if the XALV is going to go in to production in a few years time, they may want to re-think the powertrain options with more focus on hybrids instead of diesels.

The SsangYong XAVL 7-Seat Concept will debut next month at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, when we may find out more on its production intent.