Ssangyong Motor introduces Tivoli Air

Ssangyong Motor CEO Choi Johng-sik, center, introduces the company’s new mid-size SUV, the Tivoli Air, at Some Sevit in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Ssangyong Motor

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Ssangyong Motor introduced its new mid-size SUV, the Tivoli Air, a long body version of the company’s popular Tivoli, at Some Sevit in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, Tuesday.

“Tivoli has been leading the county’s small-sized SUV market with its innovative style and commercial value, especially popular among young motorists since its introduction last January,” Ssangyong Motor CEO Choi Johng-sik said during the presentation.

“Inheriting the Tivoli’s unique identity, the Tivoli Air will satisfy a wide range of consumer desires with its extended luggage space and premium interior electronic equipment.”

Tivoli Air has a simple wing-shaped grille and headlamps with a barbell-shaped front bumper to give it a strong and dynamic impression.

A Ssangyong official emphasized that the model is 71.1 percent outfitted with high-tension steel plating to secure driver’s safety in case of an accident.

Unlike most other mid-size SUVs in the segment, the Tivoli Air also offers a four-wheel drive (4WD) option. All Tivoli Air models mount a 1.6-liter e-XDi V4 diesel engine that produces maximum torque of 30.6 kg-m and 115 horsepower coupled to an AISIN’s six-speed transmission. It comes in three different options _ manual and automatic two-wheel drive (2WD) and automatic 4WD model.

The 2WD manual model can get up to 14.5 kilometers per liter in the city and 17.4 kilometers on the highway, while the automatic can get up to 12.3 kilometers in the city and 16.1 kilometers on the highway.

The 4WD automatic can get up to 11.9 kilometers per liter in the city and 15.5 kilometers on the highway.

Depending on the options, Tivoli Air is priced between 19.49 million won ($16,154) and 24.49 million won.

Ssangyong Motor, owned by India's Mahindra & Mahindra, sold nearly 64,000 Tivolis at home and abroad last year, the best annual performance ever among the company's models.

“The company aims to sell a total of 95,000 Tivolis and Tivoli Airs across the world including 20,000 Tivoli Airs at home,” said an official.