Tivoli shows powerful performance

Ssangyong Motor’s Tivoli compact SUVs are parked on a circuit in Inje, Gangwon Province, on July 6. The automaker began selling Tivoli diesel models on July 1. / Courtesy of Ssangyong Motors

By Park Jin-hai

Drive a Tivoli on a racing track?

Although Ssangyong Motor’s Tivoli, launched in January, has been the main force pulling the carmaker out of a long sales slump, selling 18,524 vehicles here, it seems not such a good idea, at first thought.

The design is fine. The price is fine. But is the driving performance good enough to put it on a racing circuit?

That concern quickly disappeared once I stepped on the small compact SUV’s accelerator pedal on the Speedium in Inje, Gangwon Province, during a recent media test-drive event.

From the start, the Tivoli diesel tells a different story, giving the feeling that it is not just another version of a gasoline-powered Tivoli with a downsized diesel engine.

The Tivoli’s engine produced powerful driving all along the 3.9 kilometer track. On slopes, it did not show the kind of “struggle” small cars typically have.

The Tivoli diesel reached 150 kilometer per hour effortlessly, without any disturbing outside noises or engine sounds.

Cornering at high speed was as good as at low speed.

Due to the use of high-strength steel, its body felt firm. Its steering, not too loose or stiff, enabled stable control.

Also notable was its braking ability. At over 150 kilometer per hour, when the brake was applied, speed was quickly lost.

On narrow and curvy coastal city roads, the car was quiet and had great cornering. Fuel efficiency was 13-15 kilometers per liter, similar to its claimed mileage of 15.3 kilometer per liter.

It has maximum power of 115 horsepower, with torque of 30.6 kilograms at 1,500-2,500 rpm, which enables a fast response and dynamic driving at the most frequently used rpm on daily drives.

Compared with its popular gasoline model, its maximum horsepower has been slightly lowered, while its torque has gained by 14.6 kilograms a meter, even higher than Renault Samsung’s QM3.

I would say the previous gasoline version had more focus on design elements, but this new Tivoli showed that the compact SUV can actually compete with larger rivals on performance.

It is ideal for the younger generation, which wants design and driving fun, with the additional expense of about 2 million won.