The latest in a series of concepts which preview two future SsangYong B-segment SUVs has been revealed at the Geneva show.
The XLV is a design study for a seven-seater model which should mostly be sold in South Korea and possibly China too, whereas a smaller five-seat variant will be the only body style for Europe. The Geneva concept, a hybrid, is powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine with back-up from a lithium-ion battery.
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A 2+2+2+1 arrangement features in the XLV, where the seventh seat slides between the second and third rows. The transparent roof is equally innovative. It features a very fine particle film sandwiched between the glass layers. This means the driver may adjust the voltage to either let in more light or darken the glass for maximum UV protection. Further, roof graphic patterns can also be electronically selected. If the latter reaches production, it will obviously make current painted roof decals redundant.
SsangYong Motor will build the standard and long-wheelbase versions of the X100 at its Pyongtaek plant in South Korea, while parent firm Mahindra is also planning production of two closely related models at a facility in India. These are codenamed S101 and S102.
At a quoted 4,430mm from end to end, the XLV is a big vehicle for its intended B segment. It is 1,845mm wide and 1,600mm high, with a 2,600mm wheelbase. A production version of the standard wheelbase model is highly likely to have its debut at September’s Paris motor show. SsangYong insiders hint at a length of around 4,100mm for this one. Build is schedueled to commence in the fourth quarter, with sales in South Korea and export markets to start in Q1, 2015.
For the moment, there is no word on model names for the X100, but ‘Korando B’ and ‘Korando B L’ have been suggested.
