Korea’s SsangYong today revealed the design direction in which it will take the second of its upcoming, company-saving vehicles. Codenamed the X200, this SUV is supposed to represent the company’s ethos: “Powered by Toughness.” The sketch appears to incorporate a few—let’s call them “familiar”—design cues from a well-known off-roading brand, which do have the effect of making the compact SUV look tough and fun. Ssangyong says that it has looked back into its own history for design inspiration, though, using the original 1983 Korando SUV – itself inspired by the iconic Jeep CJ – as the basis for its design.
From there, the automaker set four basic design concepts that the X200 should follow: ‘Robust Architecture’, Unexpected Delight’, ‘Vibrant Contrast’, and ‘Communion with Nature.’ Unfortunately, although it’s inspired by the Korando (which is currently a compact crossover), the company hasn’t said quite where the X200 will fit into its lineup in terms of size.
Those design concepts, though, are supposed to have inspired the design’s tough, structural shape, the contrast between the tough look and the aesthetic elements, its harmony with nature, and will help it appeal to off-roaders and city-folk alike. All familiar tropes in the rugged crossover market. The X200 follows the unveiling of the J100. The mid-size SUV and pickup were revealed in June and also use the “Powered by Toughness” design ethos. The vehicles are all part of a plan to reestablish the brand after it filed for receivership late last year.
Although Ssangyong has not explicitly said that the X200’s powertrain will be electrified, it has announced that these new vehicles will combine to give SsangYong a strong foothold in the SUV market and will feature “eco-friendly powertrains.” While the J100 is based on a new platform that can use both all-electric and internal combustion powertrains, SsangYong has also retrofitted its current Korando to feature an electric powertrain, suggesting that the company is investing in the technology.
