Ssangyong launches yet another concept and a refresh of its Korando Crossover.

• 87^th Geneva International Motor Show 2017
• XAVL concept takes bold styling cues from the brand’s heritage
• Signposts SsangYong’s future design and product development direction
• Blends the ruggedness of an authentic SUV and the practicality of a seven seat MPV
• New look for the ever-popular 2017 Korando crossover

SsangYong Motor Company, (CEO, Johng-sik Choi) has today presented a new vision for the brand’s SUV of the future at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland - concept XAVL.

“As the oldest car brand and only specialist producer of SUV and 4x4 vehicles in Korea, it is incumbent upon us to lead the way in new product development in this sector.  I am delighted to unveil this concept which signposts the future generation of SsangYong cars.

“XAVL is a further iteration of the XAV concept we presented at the Frankfurt motor show in 2015.  This longer bodied car will accommodate seven passengers in comfort, and will be powered by both petrol and new clean-burning diesel engines.

“Of particular note, this concept draws heavily on our heritage, and unashamedly takes its design inspiration from our classic and iconic Korando model of the 1990s,” said Mr. Choi.

The SsangYong XAVL concept - eXciting Authentic Vehicle Long - is based on the product development philosophy of Robust, Specialty and Premium.  

XAVL presents a tough, masculine looking and authentic SUV concept that blends advanced convenience and practicality with a user-friendly interface, and indicates yet another strategic model to drive future growth for the brand.

With seven independent seats and providing wide inner space, XAVL takes on a differentiated role for a mid-size SUV, by combining off-road capability with the versatility and practicality of a multi-purpose MPV.  The three rows of seats are in a two-three-two layout.  

The five seats comprising the second and third rows all fold and slide to maximise comfort and the use of space, while also affording the passenger/load carrying flexibility expected of both an SUV and MPV.

In contrast to the tough, masculine exterior, a comfortable and sensitive ambiance is created for the interior, enhanced by a wide and contemporary space with sophisticated, subtle illumination.  In addition, the smart user interface enables free communication between passengers, the car and home.

The XAVL concept is a mid-size SUV, and takes its inspiration from the second generation classic Korando of the 1990s.  

This contemporary interpretation of the original car is expected to find its way into production as an authentic off-road SUV in the near future.

XAVL offers the choice of a Euro 6d-Temp compliant 1.5 litre petrol or 1.6 litre diesel engine, and matched with the option of a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, and with a 2WD system.

The 1.6 litre diesel engine achieves CO₂ emissions of 120~150g/km (2WD, MT/AT, with stop/start), while the 1.5 litre petrol engine gives CO₂ emissions of 150~170g/km (2WD, MT/AT, with stop/start).

Safety is of prime concern to SsangYong, and the XAVL features an external airbag to provide increased protection to pedestrians, while passenger safety is further achieved through a central airbag between the driver and front seat passenger, as well as a driver’s knee airbag to enhance driver safety.

For drivers’ convenience and safety, XAVL is equipped with a suite of new electronic safety aids, including Advanced Emergency Braking System, Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assistance, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The car is also equipped with a Smart Parking Assist System, a 10.25 inch full colour LCD display, and a wi-fi hotspot for the second and third row of seats.  In addition, the car’s navigation, heating, ventilation & air conditioning, and the infotainment system located in the head lining, can all be controlled from a smart phone, while Link to Home IOT (Internet of Things) technology allows occupants to connect with their home and manage CCTV, security, domestic equipment and temperature control.

XAVL is 4,630mm long, 1,866mm wide, 1,640mm high, and has a 2,775mm wheelbase.

FRESH NEW-LOOK KORANDO FOR 2017

• Spacious family accommodation and a great off-road performance
• Distinctive grille and headlight treatment adopt the new SsangYong ‘look’
• Front and rear cameras* for improved safety

The Korando SUV has been greatly enhanced for 2017 with a stylish new design, enhanced equipment and additional safety features.

The car sports a new-look front aspect, which has been redesigned to maximise the car’s robust character with a distinctive new shoulder-wing grille and headlight treatment, while safety has also been improved with the addition of a front view camera* - a first in this class of SUV.

European sales are set to commence from the second quarter of the year.

The new Korando SUV is designed for young families seeking an active lifestyle, and will appeal to those requiring a car that can handle the rough and tumble of family life - plenty of interior space for growing children and generous boot space for all their leisure equipment.

The car features daytime running lights using 11 high-luminescent LED lamps with separate lenses to improve visibility, new 18” diamond-cut wheels and a new ergonomically designed steering wheel.

The new car also gets both front and rear view safety cameras* for greatly enhanced safety, allowing the driver to monitor blind spots around the vehicle when parking or moving at low speed.

There is the choice between a 7” colour display offering a mirroring function to connect between a smart phone or an HDMI cable, and TomTom 7” navigation: both support the video camera displays, Bluetooth hands-free and iPod connectivity.

The new Korando is powered by a choice of a turbo-charged, Euro 6 compliant 2.2 litre diesel or 2.0 litre petrol engine*, and is matched with either a 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission for smooth, dynamic gear changing, comfortable driving and lively acceleration.  

The car also comes with either front wheel-drive, or a smart, on-demand all-wheel drive system, making it the ultimate leisure vehicle.

* - according to market

Citroen improves efficiency of new diesel Berlingo.

Effective from November production, Citroën has further improved the fuel efficiency and reduced the CO₂emissions of the Berlingo – the brand’s best-selling LCV model. The versions benefiting from these latest improvements are the Berlingo X, LX and Enterprise vans equipped with the HDi 75 diesel engine and the Berlingo LX e-HDi 90 manual micro-hybrid van.

The November changes have seen the HDi 75 powered Berlingo vans’ combined cycle fuel consumption figure improve to 56.5mpg (previously 55.4mpg) and CO₂ emissions reduced to 131g/km from 133g/km. Similarly, the Berlingo LX e-HDi 90 manual micro-hybrid sees its CO₂ emissions reduced to 120g/km from 125g/km and its combined cycle fuel consumption figure improve to 61.4mpg (previously 58.9mpg).

Jeremy Smith, Citroën’s Head of Commercial Vehicles & Business Sector Operations, commented; “These latest changes will help to maintain the Berlingo’s strong sales performance. In the first three quarters of this year, the Berlingo showed a year-on-year sales growth of 14% to 12,283. We expect that this popular model will deliver one of its best-ever sales results in 2014, reflecting its strong appeal to businesses both large and small.”

The Berlingo range includes a unique selection of models, with a choice of efficient full-electric, petrol, diesel and diesel micro-hybrid drivetrains. Berlingos are available with a factory built choice of L1 and L2 panel vans, 5-seat crew vans, enhanced traction vans and platform cabs for special bodywork. The Berlingo panel van is also the only model in its sector to be supplied as standard with Teletrac satellite navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking.

Lexus announce prices and specs on new NX Premium Crossover.

• Lexus announces details of six-model line-up for its new NX premium crossover in the UK
• Deliveries of NX 300h hybrid from October this year, NX 200t with new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine to follow from March 2015
• All-wheel drive SE, Luxury, F Sport and Premier grades, plus entry-level front-wheel drive S grade for NX 300h
• NX 200t offered exclusively in F Sport trim
• NX available to order now, prices from £29,495 (NX 300h S)

The NX, Lexus’s first mid-size crossover, will arrive in the UK this October, initially in the form of the full hybrid NX 300h. Next year the range will grow to include the NX 200t, the first model to adopt Lexus’s new 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine.

Sharply styled and offering true Lexus quality and refinement, the NX will open up new opportunities for the brand in an expanding and popular part of the premium car market.

Five equipment grades will be on offer, all demonstrating Lexus’s continued commitment to luxury, comfort and the application of advanced, user-friendly technologies. NX will be the first model to feature Lexus’s Pre-Crash Safety system and Adaptive Cruise Control as standard on all versions. Other “firsts” for a Lexus include a wireless charging tray for easy charging of mobile phones and other devices and the first application of a new Remote Touch Interface with a touchpad control.

Further features include a new Panoramic View Monitor, a comprehensive multi-information display (incorporating for the first time a G-sensor and boost meter on NX 200t), head-up display, blind spot monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The NX 300h S, the entry point to the range, will be available with front-wheel drive only; all other NX models will have all-wheel drive, equipped with a second electric motor on the rear axle.

Advance orders for the new NX can be placed now. On-the-road prices start at £29,495 for the NX 300h S.

Equipment specifications and options

Standard features of the NX 300h S include: -

17-inch alloy wheels

LED low-beam headlights and daytime running lights

Pre-Crash Safety system and Adaptive Cruise Control

Dual zone climate control

Eight-speaker audio system

Lexus Media Display with Remote Touch controller

DAB digital radio

60/40 folding rear seats

Electric, folding door mirrors

Drive Mode Select

Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management

Hill Assist Control

Eight airbags

USB multimedia port

Remote double door locking

Speed-sensitive automatic door locking

SE grade adds: -

All-wheel drive

Integrated roof rails

18-inch alloys

Rain-sensing wipers

Heated front seats

Towing capacity (1,500kg braked, 750kg unbraked trailer)

Further features which are standard on the Luxury grade include: -

LED fog lamps

Rear privacy glass

Heated, electrically adjustable front seats

Silver trim inserts and scuff plates

Parking sensors

Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

Smart Entry

The NX 300h F Sport gains a series of dedicated styling features as well as further equipment: -

18-inch alloys with two-tone finish

Headlights with LED high and low beam functions

F Sport heated electric front seats with lumbar support

F Sport suspension with performance dampers

Electric steering column adjustment

Power tailgate

Wireless smartphone charger

At the top of the range the Premier model builds on the Luxury specification with: -

18-inch alloys with dedicated design

Headlights with LED high and low beam functions

Auto-dimming door mirrors

Heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support

Driver’s seat position memory

Mark Levinson audio system

Card key

Lexus Premium Navigation

360-degree panoramic view

Automatic high beam

Lane Keep Assist

Head-up Display

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Heated steering wheel

Lexus Navigation is available as an option (£995) on all S, SE, Luxury and F Sport grades, with the more sophisticated Lexus Premium Navigation system (£1,995) additionally offered for F Sport.

The NX 300h Luxury can be specified with a Convenience Pack (£495), comprising the new wireless smartphone charger and power-operated tailgate). Customers can add a sunroof (£1,000) to the F Sport and Premier NX models and Lexus’s Adaptive Variable Suspension system (£750) can added to the F Sport specification. Across the board, metallic paint is a £645 option.

Model range and pricing

The new NX 300h is priced from £29,495 for the S grade model. The price of the NX 200t  F Sport will be announced later this year.

MODEL	PRICE
NX 300h S FWD	£29,495
NX 300h SE AWD	£31,495
NX 300h Luxury AWD	£34,495
NX 300h F Sport AWD	£36,995
NX 300h Premier AWD	£42,995

The new Lexus NX premium Crossover.

• The first Lexus for the fast-growing premium mid-size crossover/SUV segment
• Sharp styling aired with Lexus refinement and innovative technology
• NX 300h with 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle full hybrid powertrain, targeting sub-120g/km CO₂ emissions, to be launched in Europe October 2014
• NX 200t powered by new 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine, to be launched in selected markets February 2015
• Available with front and all-wheel drive, and in Lexus  F Sport versions

The NX marks Lexus’s debut in the premium mid-size crossover market. It displays an edgy, contemporary design that’s aimed at attracting new customers, notably urban people with active lifestyles.

Two powertrains will be offered in the UK: a highly efficient hybrid system in the NX 300h; and a new Lexus-developed 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine in the NX 200t. Both all-wheel and front-wheel drive versions will be available within the range.

The NX 300h will debut in the UK in October 2014, in all-wheel and front-wheel drive versions; the NX 200t will follow in March 2015, exclusively as an F Sport AWD model.

Innovative on-board technology will be available, including a wireless charging tray for easy charging of mobile phones and other devices and the first application of a new Lexus Remote Touch Interface with a touchpad control. Further features include a new Panoramic View Monitor, a comprehensive multi-information display (incorporating for the first time a G-sensor and boost meter), head-up display, blind spot monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The NX 300h and 200t F Sport versions display a bolder design, with specific features such as an individual treatment of the spindle grille, a lower front bumper, dedicated wheel design, black-finished door mirror housings, dedicated interior colours and trims and sports seats. Beyond the styling these versions of NX will benefit from performance dampers.

Takeaki Kato, the NX Chief Engineer, said: “The NX is a premium crossover, combining performance, numerous on-board technologies and alluring design.

“Luxury is epitomised by small but important details, as can be witnessed in the attention to detail in areas such as the feel of the switchgear, the arrangement of the courtesy lights, the metallic finishes for the wheels and other innovations that will set the standards for future Lexus models.

“Luxury touches apart, the NX was designed both to complement daily life and support active lifestyles at the weekend.”

Exterior design

The NX has been substantially influenced by the LF-NX concept and has been designed to express a sense of agility not usually associated with an SUV, as well as the practical quality required for driving around town.

The flared front and rear elements are fused to a diamond-shaped body which has its starting point in the spindle grille. The flared arches house 17 or 18-inch wheels and contribute to the car’s crouching, muscular stance. Lexus’s distinctive design language is also expressed in the innovative LED headlamps and daytime running lights.

The side profile shows the peak of the roofline is set towards the back of the vehicle, which translates into ample headroom for those sitting in the rear, while creating a tight silhouette.

Details include an innovative door mirror design and a door handle mechanism with a concealed key barrel and integrated lighting, features which enhance the overall premium look by creating a smooth finish along the side of the car.

The rear is punctuated by Lexus’s L-shape combination lamps, fitted with seamless LED lighting. The bodywork design echoes the spindle grille treatment at the front.

Interior design

Lexus’s ambition for the NX’s cabin was to produce a design that combines the structural beauty of a high-performance vehicle with materials and textures that express premium quality and functionality.

The car’s SUV strengths are expressed in details such as a thick-rimmed steering wheel, a central silver frame embedded in the instrument panel and robust knee pads for driver and front passenger. Contrasting textures around the cabin and the use of a quilted seat upholstery pattern reference the NX’s status as a crossover vehicle.

The NX continues the development of Lexus’s display and operation zone dashboard design concept and provides the driver with easy, intuitive command of its advanced technology features using new and improved HMI controls.

Lexus has also focused on interior space and seating, ensuring ample overall headroom and a generous front-to-rear couple distance. The NX also has the longest luggage area load length in its class.

Powertrains

NX 300h

The NX 300h uses a sophisticated hybrid system control specially developed for the model, using the proven Lexus 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine, generator, motor and battery. Total system output is 195bhp/145kW.

Lexus is targeting CO₂ emissions of less than 120g/km, which corresponds to combined cycle fuel economy of 54.3mpg.

The NX 300h will be available in front and all-wheel drive versions, equipped with one or two electric motors respectively.

Features specific to the hybrid NX include sprung-weight damping control to increase ride comfort and handling stability by reducing pitching when driving on uneven surfaces.

In common with other Lexus models equipped with Lexus Hybrid Drive, the NX 300h will offer customers considerable cost of ownership advantages, thanks to a combination of low maintenance and running costs, high residual values and significant tax incentives or benefits in many European countries.

European and UK deliveries will begin in October this year.

NX 200t

The NX is the first model to use a new Lexus 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine, engineered for excellent fuel economy, agile performance and responsiveness. Maximum power is 235bhp/175kW between 4,800 and 5,600rpm and maximum torque is 350 Nm, available  from 1,650 to 4,000rpm.

The engine underwent more than one million kilometres of testing over different road conditions and in harsh driving environments. Its design features a world-first combination of water-cooled cylinder head, integrated exhaust manifold and twin-scroll turbocharger.

It is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission that has been specially tuned for the NX. This uses a new, torque-demand control logic, calculating and maximising the required engine torque to deliver quick response to throttle inputs and high fuel efficiency.

The NX 200t will be available with front and all-wheel drive in selected European countries from February 2015. In the UK it will feature exclusively in the NX 200t F Sport AWD, with customer deliveries expected from March 2015.

Chassis and suspension

The new NX has been engineered for agile driving, handling stability, body control and ride comfort, including yaw-rate response to steering inputs and stability over uneven surfaces.

At the heart of the design is a highly rigid body, with extensive reinforcement of the underbody. Other key elements include additional bulkheads and spot-welding, suspension braces and the application of Lexus’s body adhesive and laser screw welding technologies, and a high-rigidity glass adhesive.

Some NX models are equipped with new-design dampers and Lexus’s new-generation Adaptive Variable Suspension. Linked to the vehicle’s Drive Mode Select system, this can change the level of damping force to improve comfort and reduce body roll.

Safety

The comprehensive active safety package includes a new, full-range Panoramic View Monitor using the highest resolution camera yet to be fitted to a Lexus. In a first for the segment, the NX will be available with an all-speed Adaptive Cruise Control, capable of matching the NX’s speed to the vehicle in front, down to a complete stop.

Other systems include Lane Departure Alert, blind spot monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. A head-up display is also featured in the range.

Dimensions

Length (mm)	4,630
Width (mm)	1,845
Height (mm) – with antenna	1,645
Height (mm) – without antenna	1,630
Wheelbase (mm)	2,660
Front/rear track (mm) – 225 tyre	1,580

Biography: Takeaki Kato

Takeaki Kato joined Toyota in 1986. After working mainly on instrument panel design, he moved to the Toyota Technical Center in the USA in 1994.

After returning to Japan in 1997, he pioneered development of safety and restraint features such as knee airbags, pre-crash seatbelts and twin-chamber airbags.

In 2005 he joined the Product Planning Division, with responsibility for the IS and RX prior to becoming chief engineer for the NX.