Not to be outdone in the race to launch baby crossovers for a downsizing world, Ssangyong will show a brace of smaller SUVs at the 2014 Paris motor show.
The new Ssangyong XIV-Air and XIV-Adventure are the final concept cars previewing a new production crossover to challenge the likes of the Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman and Skoda Yeti. It’s one of the fastest-growing segments in Europe.
Ssangyong XIV… that rings a bell?
Well remembered. The Korean’s have shown a string of concept cars dubbed XIV, dating all the way back to the Frankfurt motor show in 2011. They’re certainly in no rush to launch it.
You can read about the Ssangyong XIV-2 concept car at the 2012 Geneva motor show here. And if you’re wondering what the XIV name is all about, it stands for – and we quote – ‘eXciting user-Interface Vehicle’. Yes, really.
Ssangyong XIV-Air and Adventure are the latest – and last – developments before the car is finally launched in 2015.
What do we need to know about the XIV-Air and XIV-Adventure?
They will be renamed as the Ssangyong X100 when sales finally begin next year. Which is a relief.
The company describes them as ‘near-production ready concepts,’ stretching to 4195mm long and riding on a 2600mm wheelbase.
That’s basically shadowing the size of a Nissan Juke, the best-selling baby crossover in the UK.
Expect a pair of 1.6-litre engines in either petrol or diesel form for production.
So far, only this shadowy pair of teaser images has been shown; come back for the full story in the run-up to the 2014 Paris motor show.