The Ssangyong It is now a tradition to announce new series models with multi-stage concept vehicles. The Koreans gave the XAV study at the Frankfurt IAA in September 2015 a first look at a new edition of the Korando mid-size SUV. At the Geneva Motor Show (March 9 to 19, 2017), the second harbinger follows with the concept vehicle XAVL.
The abbreviation XAVL stands for eXciting Authentic Vehicle Long. The all-wheel drive is supposed to look exciting due to its dynamically staged sheet metal skin, which thanks to prominently exhibited wheel arches also evokes memories of the original Corando from the 1990s. This similarity should in turn give the upcoming SUV model a certain degree of authenticity. In addition, it is a significantly stretched body compared to the XAV. In contrast to the roughly 4,20 meter long IAA study, the XAVL therefore also offers a seven-seat instead of a five-seat interior, for which Ssangyong also promises functionality at the level of a van.
Despite retro bonds in the outer skin, the XAVL offers a modern and tidy workplace with large digital displays in the instrument cluster and centrally on the dashboard. The Korando successor will be available with both diesel and petrol engines. The Korean all-wheel drive specialist also promises upscale equipment. A date for the market launch has not yet been announced, but it should not be too far in the future.
(Mario Hommen / SP-X)
