SsangYong first unveiled its C200 concept crossover at the Paris Motor Show last autumn, and it will release a toned-down version that's nearly production-ready at next month's Seoul Motor Show. The financially battered Korean automaker says its less aggressively-styled C200 is similar in size to the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4, a class of vehicle that's growing quickly in SsangYong's home market.
The ItalDesign-penned CUV concept is powered by a new 175-horsepower, 2.0-liter diesel engine (torque figures have not yet been released), and four-wheel drive is expected to be available when the C200 reaches showrooms later this year.
SsangYong also expects to show off a new diesel-hybrid version of its oddly styled Kyron, which it says will result in at least 30% better fuel efficiency and at least 50% fewer emissions. Details remain scarce on the powertrain, but SsangYong says the system will involve a direct-injection diesel engine along with a proprietary Torque Split Device that governs use of the electric motor, as well as the usual tricks like regenerative braking and start-stop technology. Official press release available after the jump, gallery of the original 2008 C200 concept below.
PRESS RELEASE
SSANGYONG AT THE SEOUL MOTOR SHOW
C200 nearer to production
Ssangyong will be showing an almost production-ready example of its new C200 crossover utility car at the Seoul Motor Show in South Korea, opening on April 2.
The company says that the C200 unveiled at the show will closely resemble the production C200 scheduled to be launched later this year. SsangYong will also show a new diesel hybrid version of the Kyron.
The C200 concept was first unveiled at the Paris show last October and is the first new model in the broadening of the SsangYong range. The C200 is a modern, contemporary urban passenger car with styling by Giugiaro's ItalDesign in Italy. It is similar in size to a Toyota RAV4, a Honda CRV and a Nissan Qashqai and with a 2,640mm wheelbase, is slightly longer than a VW Tiguan.
The C200 differs from current SsangYong models in that it uses monocoque construction to ensure a passenger car look, feel and comfort. The platform is adaptable, and the chassis can be used for front wheel drive and four wheel drive passenger cars.
The drivetrain is completely new. An advanced 2.0 litre diesel engine has been designed for lower noise levels and reduced vibration. The engine produces 175 hp and complies with Euro V exhaust emissions requirements as well as producing lower CO2 levels. Manual and automatic transmissions are likely to be available, with the show car having a six-speed auto.
Extensive use of aluminium suspension components reduces weight and together with a low centre of gravity, ensures a comfortable and compliant ride with the kind of sharp and agile handling demanded by European drivers.
Work has already started on the production line for the new car, ahead of schedule.
Diesel hybrid Kyron
The diesel hybrid Kyron to be shown at the Seoul show will use similar diesel hybrid technology first seen on the SsangYong stand at the Geneva show last year.
In general, diesel hybrid cars ensure a good level of energy efficiency and outstanding fuel efficiency in comparison to petrol hybrid cars. As a result, a significant reduction in CO2 and exhaust emissions can be achieved. Hybrid technology minimizes unnecessary use of fuel and the emission of exhaust gases by ensuring that a car's engine is stopped when the car stops, such as at a red light. When a vehicle is being driven, the power of the vehicle is boosted through the e-motor to improve the vehicle's performance. When a vehicle is slowing down and under braking, surplus energy is used to charge the battery.
SsangYong's diesel hybrid technology applies an e-motor to an advanced direct injection diesel engine, with a high-voltage battery supplying electric power to the e-motor. The Torque Split Device (TSD), independently developed by SsangYong, is also applied to combine or cut off the power of the e-motor, thereby enabling hybrid driving.
Last year SsangYong said that tests had shown improvements in fuel efficiency of around 25 per cent in comparison to existing vehicles of the same class. In terms of emissions, there was a reduction of around 10 per cent in nitrogen oxide and around 15 per cent in particulates. The company also said that the completion of the development of a diesel hybrid car will allow for the development of a diesel hybrid technology that ensures a fuel efficiency improvement of at least 30 per cent and a reduction in exhaust emissions of at least 50 per cent.
Ends.
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