Ssangyong Motor Company, part of the Mahindra Group, announced that it has officially launched “Tivoli”, which is expected to be a game changer in the compact SUV market with innovative style and remarkable product competitiveness.

On January 13th, SYMC held a launching ceremony of its new model “Tivoli” at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Seoul, joined by some 800 guests including Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon, Sang-jick, Chairman Anand Mahindra of Mahindra Group(M&M), CEO Lee, Yoo-il of SYMC as well as dealers from home and abroad.

Speaking at the launch, Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, said, “The Tivoli marks a significant new milestone in the growing partnership between Mahindra and Ssangyong. This new SUV epitomizes the spirit of ‘Korea Can Do’ and reflects Ssangyong’s rich legacy of innovation in product development. We are confident that the Tivoli is poised to drive Ssangyong’s growth in the future”

“Tivoli is a strategic global model which SYMC has developed with great devotion in the past four years after the acquisition. It will be a cornerstone for the company to become a global SUV maker” CEO Lee said. “As SYMC’s first compact SUV with 1.6ℓ engine and on a platform that will achieve 100,000 units of annual production, Tivoli will be a solid driver for SYMC’s turnaround and mid- to long-term development strategy” he added.

Since Tivoli carries great implications as SYMC’s first new model developed since its acquisition by M&M, the company invested KRW 350 billion and 42 months to acquire the best product competitiveness among the B-segment vehicles in terms of performance, design, safety and convenience.

Thanks to its remarkable product competitiveness, coupled with SYMC’s commitment, devotion, and M&M’s trust, Tivoli will soon dominate the compact SUV market” said a SYMC employee with confidence.

Since an increasing number of global consumers are favoring compact SUVs with high performance, great fuel economy, practicality and price competitiveness, Ssangyong plans to tap into its new model to meet such demands while solidifying its position as a leading SUV maker.

Tivoli, applied with sensuous design, outstanding spatial utility of SUVs, first-of-its-kind safety and convenience features offers an attractive experience as “My 1st SUV” to customers who want both style and practicality in their cars.

Such characteristics are well-shown in Tivoli’s commercial which was produced in two versions for men and women, featuring a catchphrase “The 1st Car with Edge”. The commercial will air on the Korean media from today.

When it comes to styling, SYMC’s new model blends the beauty of youth, energy and robustness in its overall design, aspiring to be “My 1st SUV” of young people in the world. Furthermore, as a starter of “Nature-born 3Motion”, SYMC’s design philosophy, it expresses modern and urban images through “Urban Dynamic Style” based on a motive of “Rhythmical Motion”.

Rhythmical elements such as harmony of tension and composure, the whole and details are fully expressed on the front of Tivoli. And the reversed-trapezoid bumper, which underscores the air intake contrasts with crisp hood lines, maximizing tension.

Stable and balanced rear completes the design language of SYMC Tivoli. While the rear, which resembles muscular shoulders symbolize confident youth itself, it also emphasizes rhythmical features through style lines. In the mean time, the cheerful clear-type rear combination lamps unleash liveliness.

The interior design of the new model pursues “Compact Deluxe Style” which creates smart and practical space where passengers can feel modern, yet roomy luxury lounges. Most notably, a future-oriented image is emphasized with a theme of “Moving IT Space” through bar-type switches and expanded use of touch screen controllers which are the result of analysis of user behaviors.

Tivoli’s optimized spatial design provides excellent passenger convenience and storage. Based on overall width of 1,795mm (widest in the class), its roomy two-row cabin maximizes riding comfort, and 423ℓ (largest in the class) of storage makes it the only car among its segment that can carry up to three golf bags.

Moreover, the full-flat folding second-row seats, not seen in compact sedans, provide enough storage for multiple-use, maximizing the original features of SUVs.

A D-cut steering wheel, mostly used in sports cars, together with a cylinder-type six-color cluster not only satisfies drivers’ emotional needs but also boost their pride. Six-color cluster with 3.5 inch display that shows various information offers great intuition.

2015 Tivoli’s interior comes in three colors: black, beige, and red. Red interior, in particular, is expected to be much favored by customers who want unique and sporty look, as it blends beautifully with the D-cut steering wheel, a standard feature.

Semi-bucket seats, which are ergonomically formed with fine materials provide superb comfort and postural stability during driving and cornering, and the quilting stitch design applied to the seats makes them exclusive and luxurious.

Tivoli’s P/T (powertrain), which SYMC unveils for the first time is remarkably efficient and reliable. And the e-XGi 160, a newly born engine after three years of development period, delivers 126ps maximum power and a maximum torque of 16.0kg•m. Combined fuel economy is 12.0km/ℓ for A/T and 12.3 km/ℓ for M/T (based on the Korean standard).

AISIN’s 2nd-generation A/T, which is widely used by global automakers is placed on Tivoli. Recognized for its quality and performance of power transmission, the transmission delivers dynamic driving performance with shifting response that is as fast as DCT.

Every trim of the new SUV includes Smart Steer, which controls steering effort in three modes (normal, comfort, sport.) depending on driver’s taste. Also, NVH performance is much improved by applying dual-structure dash panels to the engine room, resulting in minimized engine noise, and effectively blocking noise from intruding inside cabin.

For a highly rigid body, SYMC Tivoli uses high-strength steel (HSS) for 71.4% of its body, and Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS) for 40%, which makes it unique in the segment

To improve the safety of passengers, 10 major areas use ultrahigh-strength materials, manufactured by hot press forming process. The materials are two times stronger (1500Mpa) than the usual UHSS (600Mpa), thus minimize deformation of car body in a crash.

Moreover, various state-of-the-art safety technologies along with seven airbags which also protect passenger’s knees guarantee top-class safety of the vehicle.

In the mean time, big-sized disc brakes are applied to the front and rear wheels for quicker brake performance, and multiple safety features are used such as multi-functional ESP (Electronic Stability Program), TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), and LED daytime running lamps. Tivoli’s excellent safety is proven by its near-perfect ratings in AE-MDB (Advanced European Mobile Deformable Barrier).

The core of Tivoli’s infortainment system lies in maximized usage of smart devices. The HDMI connection allows passengers to enjoy clear images and sounds from smart devices on the seven-inch display which is connected to the rear camera. Furthermore, the six-speaker sound system provides excellent sound.

The new compact SUV is the only car in the segment which uses fully-automatic dual air-conditioning system. The AC system not only maintains the optimal temperature of the cabin, but also offers memory function which remembers preferred air volume, air direction, and temperature in three modes, guaranteeing pleasant driving all year round.

For the first time in the segment, Tivoli is applied with customers’ favorites such as ventilated driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats. Moreover, It is more convenient and safer when parking, thanks to the obstacle detection system with six sensors (two for front / four for rear). And luggage screen, automatic washer switch, and automatic hazard lights make the car unique in the class, offering great convenience.

SYMC provides dual-tone body and roof option in Tivoli for the first time to maximize expression of driver’s personal taste. By applying colors that are different from body to the roof, wing mirrors, and rear spoiler, it reveals urban and dynamic look.

The company plans to extend the sales of the new model up to 100,000 units per year (▲Korea: 40,000 ▲Overseas: 60,000).

“I am confident that Tivoli, which meets the needs of the global market, boasts best-in-the-class product competitiveness and trend-setting style will soon become a leading model in the compact SUV market” CEO Lee said. “Tivoli will be a satisfying choice for customers who desire stylish driving in cities and outdoors” he added.

In the meantime, global debut of SsangYong Tivoli is scheduled at 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March.