SsangYong christens Tivoli

SsangYong's all-new small SUV will be called the Tivoli, and it remains odds-on for release in Australia around September next year.

The South Korean brand says the name reflects the style associated with the Italian town of the same name near Rome.

"Noted for its cultural heritage and beautiful location, the gardens at Villa d'Este have inspired many others to use the name, including the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen," said SsangYong. "The new model gives the car an international standing, while complementing SsangYong's heritage as a specialist SUV brand."

Previewed by the XIV-Air and XVI-Adventure concepts at this year's Paris motor show, the Tivoli goes on sale in Korea in January and is almost certain to be launched here in the second half of 2015 by Australian SsangYong importer Ateco Automotive.

"If we were to take it the Tivoli will launch here in late third quarter or early fourth quarter next year," said spokesman Daniel Cotterill. "It's not certain but likely".

Slotting into the SaangYong range beneath the Korando (from $27,990 drive-away), the pint-size Tivoli measures just 4.2 metres and will be the newest arrival in Australia's fastest growing vehicle segment.

Codenamed X100, it will be SsangYong's first direct rival for small city SUVs like the Holden Trax, Ford EcoSport, Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan JUKE, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Peugeot 2008 and 4008, Skoda Yeti and Suzuki S-Cross.

Before it arrives, Jeep should have launched its all-new Renegade micro-SUV and Suzuki should have released its born-again Vitara (also shown at Paris), while other new small SUVs due here in 2015 include the Honda HR-V, Renault Captur and Mazda CX-3.

Fiat's all-new 500X is due to follow in early 2016, while Toyota, Hyundai and Kia are all working on small SUVs.

SsangYong's new entry model rides on a 2600mm wheelbase and measures 4195mm long, making it smaller than the 4410mm-long Korando, which currently opens the SsangYong range at $27,990 drive-away. Korando sales are down by about 50 per cent so far this year, with less than 700 sold last year.

The Tivoli is expected with 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines, both with a fuel-saving idle-stop function, as well as six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, and front- and all-wheel drive systems.

According to SsangYong, the diesel will emit as little as 110g/km of CO2 (equivalent to fuel consumption of 4.2L/100km), while the petrol variant will emit down to 140g/km (6.0L/100km).

Like the concepts that previewed it, Tivoli safety features should include a reversing camera, seven airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist and emergency brake lights, alongside Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming.

Key features available will include three-mode electric power steering, LED daytime running lights, high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, push-button starting, dual-zone climate-control, a ventilated driver's seat and sunroof.

Claimed to bring "the best interior quality in its class", the Tivoli has been under development for the past three years and is forecast to attract 100,000 global annual sales.