Ssangyong Tivoli breaks cover

The SsangYong Tivoli small SUV has been revealed in production form in Korea, ahead of its expected Australian debut later in the year.

It will become the fifth SsangYong product sold in this country joining the Korando and Rexton SUVs, along with the Stavic people mover and Actyon Sports ute. However, unlike the current models the Tivoli ushers in a contemporary new design that could change perceptions about the Korean brand in Australia.

The car is expected to arrive here late in the third quarter of the year, roughly September, via importer Ateco Automotive. It will slot in underneath the Korando, which retails for $27,990 drive-away.

As such, pricing of under $25,000 is likely, but as Ateco Automotive spokesman Daniel Cotterill cautioned, the SsangYong Tivoli is "not absolutely certain for Australia yet".

The reason? Negotiations between the Aussie importer and SsangYong factory in Korea are yet to take place, where the all-important price will be nutted out.

Measuring 4195mm long, roughly the same size as the Nissan Juke, the Tivoli is a "dynamic urban SUV" according to SsangYong. It is based on a brand-new platform which has allowed the Asian car maker more flexibility in the design and also the features, inside and out.

Taking a leaf out of the Kia Soul's sartorial bible, the new exterior design blends squared edges and a few curves with stylised projector beam headlights with LED running lights, strong character lines above the front and rear wheels and a narrow, sporty window line when viewed side-on.

Bold alloy wheel designs are offered too, adding to its urban chic status.

The company is even offering two-tone colour schemes, with both black and white roofs, and contrasting body colours – akin to the MINI Cooper or Range Rover Evoque. Cotterill cautioned that it was it was too early to say if all the options available to the Tivoli would be offered in Australia.

The new SUV also shows off a modern interior style, and measuring 1795mm wide the Tivoli is the widest model in its class, SsangYong claims. High-spec models come with a seven-inch touchscreen and there are several customisation options available for the interior, including six different instrument panel colours and three leather upholstery options: red, white and black, with matching stitching.

Dual-zone climate control, electric driver's seat, funky alloy wheel designs, push-button engine start, cooled/heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity, heated steering wheel, reversing camera and sensors, automatic lights and wipers, not to mention USB and HDMI ports are available.

Again, it's not clear which features will make it to Australia, if the car gets the go-ahead.

Negotiations on the local pricing are understood to be taking place in April/May and as Cotterill noted, competition in the compact SUV is "cut throat" and with more big name models coming, including the Honda HR-V, Renault Captur, Jeep Renegade and Mazda CX-3, there'll be less room to move.

As such, the Tivoli would "need to be very sharply priced" to be competitive, he said.

"We're still very interested in this SUV," said Cotterill who talked up the car's improved safety credentials, which unlike other SsangYong's is constructed from a much higher percentage of high strength steel, at 70 per cent.

It also comes with seven airbags and stability control.

The Tivolo SUV is a five-seat vehicle and has 423 litres of boot space, and will be offered with a naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine that generates 91kW and 157Nm of torque. SsangYong says a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine will follow.

Gearbox choices include a six-speed manual and six-speed conventional auto, supplied by Japanese component maker Aisin. Both front- and all-wheel drive versions will be offered.

During the car's public debut in Korea, executives from SsangYong's Indian parent company Mahindra were present, with automotive division chief Pawan Kumar Goenka talking up the Tivoli's ability to propel the company to new heights.

"Nothing can change fortunes of an automotive company faster than the launch of a successful product, and I believe Tivoli has that potential. We believe it will set several new benchmarks in the B-segment SUV category," said Goenka.