Recently acquired by Mahindra, SsangYong has subsided for years on some pretty lackluster old-tech SUVs like the Actyon, Rexton and Rodius. But over the past few years, it's been rolling out a succession of new concepts to showcase where the company is going, and the latest is the XAV.
Unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show, the XAV is a small SUV that ostensibly previews the replacement for the Korando – which, prior to the arrival of the newer, smaller Tivoli, was the company's newest product, introduced in 2010. The original Korando hit the scene in 1983 as a licensed version of the Jeep CJ, but struck a much more unique (if not necessarily attractive) form with the second generation that arrived in 1996 ahead of the more generically styled version that followed.
The XAV concept ostensibly draws its inspiration from that unique second model, but thoroughly modernized and given a more rugged treatment that – quirky front end aside – wouldn't look out of place on a concept truck from Jeep, Toyota or Land Rover.
Power comes from a hybrid powertrain that pairs a 1.6-liter engine of unspecified parameters with electric motors mounted on the front and rear wheels. It's also got an adaptive air suspension, a utility compartment disguised as an auxiliary fuel tank and a canvas roof panel to let in the sunshine.
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