A new batch of spy pictures of Ssangyong’s compact SUV, codename S102, has emerged. This time, the pictures give us a glimpse at the inside of the compact SUV along with the usual exterior images. The Korean manufacturer has been displaying several conceptual SUVs at the Motor Shows around the world and by the looks of it, this prototype borrow bits and pieces from many of them. Caught testing in China, the model is believed to be based on a platform codenamed X100 and will be the first joint product between Ssangyong and Mahindra.
The compact SUV segment has been one of the exceptions in the Indian car market which has been facing a negative growth for some time now. This product will mostly be sold as a Mahindra in India and will go up against the Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and the upcoming Hyundai iX25. The SUV will replace Mahindra’s current competitor in the segment, the Quanto, which hasn’t tasted much success and will be manufactured at the company's facility in Nasik.
A compact 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is most likely to end up under the hood of the SUV. Similar to Ford’s EcoBoost engine, this unit will be equally powerful as bigger capacity units without compromising efficiency. Since Mahindra acquired the Korean car maker in 2011, the two manufacturers have been co-developing components in a bid to save costs. Pawan Goenka, president of Mahindra's automotive and farm equipment sectors had recently revealed that the two manufacturers have been collaborating on a platform which would cater to both. He also said that the two companies will eventually produce six engines, which will include petrol and diesel variants.
Mahindra won’t be launching any passenger vehicles this year. Its plans for 2015 involve rolling out two compact SUVs and a commercial vehicle.
