SsanYong C200 Aero and C200 Eco Diesel-Hybrid Concepts Debut in Seoul

Korean automaker SsangYong used the 2009 Seoul Motor Show to reveal two new and closer to production, concept versions of its forthcoming C200 crossover that is scheduled for production later this year and should reach European shores by early 2010. Dubbed by the company a compact urban vehicle (CUV), the C200 Eco concept which is the green colored version you seen in the pictures, is equipped with a diesel-hybrid powertrain while the 'blacked-out' Aero version comes with a choice of a 175HP 2.0 turbo diesel or turbocharged 1.8 liter petrol engines.

Penned by Giugiaro's ItalDesign in Italy, the C200 has a 2.65m wheelbase with an overall length of 4.4m which makes it a competitor to the Toyota RAV4 and VW Tiguan. According to SsangYong, the compact crossover will undergo Euro NCAP crash testing before entering the market.

SsangYong C200 Aero Concept Teaser Picture

In addition to publishing a photo of the C200 ECO Concept (see here), Korea's SsangYong Motors has now issued a rendering of its second C200-based concept car dubbed 'Aero' that will also make its debut at next month's Seoul Motor Show. Both variants of the C200 are supposed to be close to the production version that will follow later on this year.

Compared to the more environmental-friendly C200 ECO, the C200 Aero appears to boast a slightly more aggressive appearance with larger alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, new grille and a different bumper.

The C200 made its first public appearance as a concept car at last year's Paris Motor Show. The Toyota RAV4-sized crossover concept was equipped with a new 175-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission.

SsangYong to Present C200 ECO and Aero Concepts at Seoul Show

The crossover you see pictured above is the SsangYong C200 ECO Concept study and it will make its worldwide premiere alongside the C200 AERO Concept at the Seoul Motor Show in South Korea, opening on April 2. Both concept studies are supposed to preview the production model that is due to be launched later this year. We remind you that the C200 was first shown as a concept at the Paris show last October.

Designed by Giugiaro's ItalDesign in Italy, the C200 is a compact crossover utility car (CUV) similar in size to a Toyota RAV4, a Honda CRV and a Nissan Qashqai. In contrast to other SsangYong models, the C200 utilizes a monocoque construction. The platform is suitable for both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive layouts.

The C200 is powered by a new 2.0-liter turbo diesel producing 175HP. Manual and automatic transmissions are likely to be available, with the show car having a six-speed auto.

SsangYong did not release any specific details on the ECO and Aero versions of the C200.

The Korean company also said that it will reveal a diesel-hybrid variant of the Kyron at the Seoul Motor Show. According to the automaker, internal tests showed that with this powertrain the Kyron is around 25 percent more fuel efficient than similarly sized vehicles..

New SsangYong Kyron & Rexton C-S Light Commercial Vehicles

For those of you who preffer working incognito even if it means sacrificing the convinience of sliding rear doors, the Korean automaker has revealed two new light commercial versions of the Kyron and Rexton. The SsangYong Kyron C-S and Rexton C-S are based on the Kyron and Rexton S passenger SUV cars, and converted in the UK with the removal of the rear seats to provide a flat load area, and black tinted rear windows. Both come with standard four-wheel drive, with the Kyron C-S priced at £13,995 and the Rexton C-S at £15,995. -Continued

The Kyron C-S, which is equipped with a 2.0 litre, four cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine delivering 141 PS, has a payload of 530 kg and a cargo volume of 2,384 litres. The Rexton C-S comes with a five cylinder, turbo diesel engine pushing out 165 PS and has a volume of 2,186 litres and a payload of 740 kg.

A special guard to separate driver and passenger from any load being carried is available for £299 including VAT and fitting. Apart form the standard 5-speed manual gearbox, a Mercedes-Benz sourced T-Tronic auto transmission is offered as an option on both models.

SsangYong to Show-Off New Hybrid in Geneva

South Korean carmaker SsangYong announced today that it will display a new diesel hybrid chassis and drive train at the Geneva Motor Show next month. According to the company, the hybrid powertrain is expected to deliver a 30 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions. More details will be released at the show opening on March 4.