Mahindra unveils Ssangyong range, remains mum on launch plans

Today, Mahindra unveiled the Ssangyong product line-up at the Auto Expo 2012. The line-up includes Rexton, Actyon Sports & XIV-1 concept.

Ssangyong Rexton

The Rexton is a seven-seat, premium SUV. The Rexton looks a lot more handsome in flesh than it does in photos. It stands on large wheels and has a bold front chrome grille with detailed headlamps. The side profile reveals the mildly raked shoulder line and the triangular rear quarter glass. The car’s rear ends like that of an MPV with a bland boot door and vertical taillamps. The looks convey a certain bigness and premium-ness.

The interiors too have a premium feel with a shiny dashboard with impressive fit and finish. The first and the second row offer good comfort for passengers while the third row seat will be a bit of squeeze for adults. The boot space is tiny and wont take much luggage if all seven seats are occupied.

The Rexton is powered by a 2.7-litre turbocharged common-rail diesel motor that puts out 182 bhp of power and 402 Nm of torque. Expect the engines to come with 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmission.

Though there are no clues regarding the price and launch of Rexton, expect Rexton to be priced around Rs. 20 lakh as Mahindra is planning to assemble the Rexton at its Chakan plant, near Pune.

Ssangyong Actyon Sports

The Actyon Sports is a five-seater, sports utility truck similar to Tata Xenon. It has a loading bay at the rear to carry stuff during adventure trips. The Actyon Sports has sharp looking front with well cutout radiator grille, slightly boxy headlamps with smartly integrated turn indicators. The unique shape of fog lamps and the sporty mesh grille on the lower air dam gives the Actyon Sports, a really sporty look.

The Actyon Sports is powered by a 2-litre, Euro 5 compliant engine that makes 360 Nm of peak torque with a massive 190 Nm of torque available at idle speed. This will be useful during off-road driving.

The Actyon Sports offers features such as RDS & Bluetooth audio, rear view camera, hinge sprung tailgate and trip computer.

Mahindra may gauge the response of customers to know if there is demand for sports utility trucks in the market. If the response is overwhelming, the company may then proceed launching the Actyon Sports in India.

Ssangyong XIV-1 Concept

The XIV-1 Concept is a stylish four-seater crossover. It has an aggressive looking front with butterfly-shaped LED headlamps, daytime running lamps in place of fog lamps, chrome-lined radiator grille with a bold Ssangyong logo at the centre.

The side profile reveals a uniquely shaped rear view mirror that is attached to the top-end of A-pillar, mildly pronounced wheel arches and radically designed alloy wheels. The car’s rear gets a dual-tone treatment with vertical LED tail lamps that are attractive and a low mounted stop lamp integrated into the rear bumper. The interiors have more fancy elements which may not make into the production version. The boot space is quite large.

The XIV-1 Concept occupies the centre stage at the Mahindra’s stage at the Auto Expo. This hints that Mahindra and Ssangyong could jointly develop a 5-seater SUV based on the XIV-1 Concept which might challenge the upcoming Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster.

Ssangyong ICEV2

The ICEV2, as the name suggests is an electric powered SUV. The  overall structure of ICEV2 looks similar to the Ssangyong Korando E. The ICEV2 has unconventionally designed headlamps and fog lamps. The rear of the ICEV2 has unique tail lamp cluster and a prominent Ssangyong logo at the centre of the boot door. The rear fog lamps are C-shaped. The side profile has conventionally designed four doors.

Mahindra has not given any details of the ICEV2. But this product clearly hints that Ssangyong has a ready technology for the future when electric vehicles have a huge demand.