SsangYong Motor Company (SYMC), part of the Mahindra Group, has announced the official launch of the SsangYong Tivoli, an all-new compact SUV expected to be a game changer in its segment and featuring a compelling combination of innovative style and remarkable value.

The new Tivoli made its global debut at special ceremony attended by 800 guests at the Dongdaenum Design Plaza in Seoul on January 13. Among the dignitaries attending the event was the Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon, Sang-jick, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, SYMC CEO Lee Yoo-il , and a large contingent of dealers from around the world.

“The Tivoli marks a significant new milestone in the growing partnership between Mahindra and SsangYong,” Anand Mahindra said at the launch. “This new SUV epitomises the spirit of ‘Korea Can Do’ and reflects SsangYong’s rich legacy of innovation in product development. We are confident that the Tivoli is poised to drive SsangYong’s growth in the future”.

According to SsangYong Motor Company CEO Lee, the Tivoli is a strategic global model which SYMC has developed in the four years since the acquisition by Mahindra. “It will be a cornerstone in the company’s quest to become a global SUV maker,” he added.

“As SYMC’s first compact SUV powered by a 1.6-litre engine, and employing a platform with a targeted annual production of 100 000 units, the Tivoli will be a solid driver for SYMC’s turnaround and mid to long-term development strategy” Lee concluded.

The new Tivoli is of major importance to SsangYong, as it is the company’s first new model since its acquisition by Mahindra. The company invested KRW 350-billion (about US$ 325-milliion) and 42 months to ensure the Tivoli would deliver the highest standards of performance, design, safety and convenience in the highly competitive B-segment for compact SUVs.

With consumers increasingly favouring compact SUVs because of the combination of performance, efficient fuel economy, practicality and value they offer, the new Tivoli is poised to become a competitive contender in this fast-growing category, while confirming SsangYong’s position as a leading producer of SUVs.

The new Tivoli’s combination of attractive design, exceptional interior space and packaging, and top-notch safety, is set to attract a growing number of motorists seeking the practicality and versatility of SUV motoring in a more compact and accessible form factor.

The newcomer’s aesthetic approach combines youth, energy and robustness into an overall design that will appeal to younger buyers seeking to acquire their first SUV. The styling incorporates key SsangYong design philosophies in a contemporary, urban context.

The essence of the Tivoli’s design is the harmony between tension and composure, expressed at the front of the SUV by the way the reversed-trapezoid bumper embracing the lower air intake contrasts with the crisp lines of the bonnet.

At the rear, the muscular shoulders symbolise the confidence of youth itself, while also emphasising the smooth style lines. The cheerful, clear-lensed tail light clusters add further visual interest.

The Tivoli’s interior design pursues a theme of compact, deluxe style by creating a smart and practical space where occupants experience the cabin’s modern, luxurious execution. The ergonomic design of the switchgear is of particular note, with bar-type buttons and touch-screen controllers, optimised for intuitive use.

The cabin execution is focussed on superior convenience and storage. The Tivoli’s class-leading width of 1 795 mm allows a roomy interior space with two seating rows and 423 litres of luggage space – the largest in its class. In fact, the Tivoli is the only vehicle in its segment with enough cargo space to accommodate three golf bags.

The second seating row can be folded flat to increase cargo carrying capability, further augmenting the Tivoli’s multi-purpose SUV characteristics.

A sporty, thick-rimmed steering wheel provides a visual and ergonomic centre point, while the comprehensive instrumentation, positioned in a recessed instrument binnacle in conjunction with an 8,9 cm colour display, allows intuitive monitoring of key vehicle systems and parameters.

The interior is offered in three different colour schemes, with black, beige and red as the respective primary hues. The red interior is aimed specifically at customers seeking a sportier, more individual execution.

The well-bolstered front bucket seats, utilising fine materials and a quilted, stitched upholstery design, add a luxurious, exclusive aura to the cabin, while also ensuring comfort and support during driving and cornering.

Powering the new Tivoli is a brand-new engine, designed and developed over a three-year period. The new e-XGi unit has rated maximum power output of 94 kW, linked to a torque peak of 157 Nm.

The Tivoli is fitted with Aisin’s highly regarded, second-generation automatic transmission, renowned for its rapid shift response, which is comparable with dual-clutch gearbox designs.

Standard across all specification levels is SsangYong’s new SmartSteer system, which allows steering effort to be adjusted in three steps – normal, comfort and sport – depending on driver preference. Dual-structure panels between the cabin and the engine compartment have reduced NVH levels significantly by minimising engine noise.

NVH levels also benefit from the Tivoli’s unique body construction, with 71,4 percent consisting of high-strength steel (HSS), while ultra-high strength steel (UHSS) is also employed in critical areas.

The use of special, hot press-formed UHSS, with twice the strength of conventional UHSS, in 10 key areas of the body optimises occupant safety by minimising deformation of the body structure in the case of a collision. The Tivoli achieved near perfect ratings in Advanced European Mobile Deformable Barrier (AE-MDB) tests.

Passive safety measures include a full complement of seven airbags, including a knee airbag, for optimum occupant safety. Large disc brakes front and rear equipped with ABS anti-lock control ensure incisive braking performance, while active safety systems include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and LED daytime running lights.

The Tivoli is equipped with a comprehensive infotainment solution based on the optimised use of smart devices. An HDMI connection allows passengers to enjoy superior rendition of sound and images played back from smart devices on the 18 cm display. The display is also employed by the rear reverse camera. A six-speaker sound system ensures excellent audio quality.

The Tivoli is fitted with fully-automatic dual-zone air-conditioning that not only maintains the optimal temperature of the cabin, but also offers a memory function that stores the preferred air volume, air direction and temperature in three modes.

Additional features include a ventilated driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats. A six-sensor obstacle detection system with two four rear sensors ensures safe, convenient parking, while the Tivoli is also equipped with a niceties such as a luggage screen, automatic washer switch, and hazard lights that automatically activate under braking.

Exterior options aimed at personalisation include dual-tone body and roof colour schemes.

“We are confident that the Tivoli meets the needs of the global market, offers best-in-the-class product competitiveness, and trend-setting style will soon become a leading model in the compact SUV market,” said Lee.

The Tivoli will be launched in South Africa in mid-2015.

SsangYong Tivoli

SsangYong Tivoli 2015