The Ssangyong XIV-2 Concept will debut at Geneva
When Ssangyong rolled out the concept that seemed to take its inspiration for its name from a Gerry Anderson feature – the XUV-1 – we thought it a good way to go to revive the fortunes of Ssangyong.
After all, the market for small, butch faux off-roaders is booming as car buyers forsake the traditional saloon for something a bit more rufty-tufty to take on the urban jungle. The only problem we had was with Ssangyong pitching their CUV as a premium option – that’s a badge that needs to be earned, not bestowed – and the only way we could see Ssangyong selling the XUV-1 was on price.
Still, Ssangyong seem determined to push the envelope a bit with the XIV, so today we get treated to the second iteration of the XIV – logically called the Ssangyong XIV-2 – which takes the idea of a CUV a step further by endowing it with a cloth top. Yes, the XUV-2 is a convertible CUV.
Ssangyong has not sent us much, and all they really say is that the XIV-2 is a ‘strategic model for the global market’, and that it ‘…blends the characteristics of a robust and powerful SUV with the dynamic style of an open top sports coupé.’
We’re assuming that XIV-2 will, get the same interior as the XIV-1 – which means a unique seating layout with the choice of 1+1+2 or 1+3 seating – and it gets a choice of 1.6 litre petrol and diesel engines.
It looks like this Ssangyong XIV CUV – as a coupe and convertible – is heading for production. Which is interesting, but price will be the key to success.
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