April 18, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Two brand-new cars -- SsangYong Motor’s premium SUV and Hyundai Motor’s hybrid Grandeur sedan -- will make their world premieres at the upcoming Seoul Motor Show next week.

SsangYong, owned by India’s auto giant Mahindra & Mahindra, will debut a large SUV, known by the codename Y400, at the biennial exhibition that kicks off on March 30. 

A rendering image of SsangYong Motor's Y400

The carmaker says the new flagship SUV boasts power and safety as the vehicle is based on the traditional body-on frame chassis unlike to single structure monocoque that is used in a majority of crossover cars for lighter weight.

The car is also expected to adopt a front-engine, rear-wheel drive platform to achieve better weight balance. Its name and more rendering images are expected to be revealed ahead of the official unveiling that is highly likely to be attended by Mahindra’s top brass, including Chairman Anand Mahindra.

Hyundai, the nation’s largest carmaker, will introduce the hybrid version of its popular Grandeur sedan at the show for the first time.

Hyundai hopes the new hybrid offering, with a combined fuel economy of 16.2 kilometers per liter, will expand its green car offering, as well as continue the high sales streak of Grandeur cars since it was released last November.

Earlier, there has been speculation that Hyundai will introduce its much-anticipated compact SUV, widely rumored to be named Kona, at the auto show.

But a Hyundai official denied the claim saying the new SUV will be unveiled separately from the motor show slated for April.

At the show, Hyundai’s smaller corporate cousin Kia Motors is set to introduce Stinger sport sedan after its debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Some of the anticipated cars this year include GM Korea’s full-electric vehicle Chevrolet Bolt, Renault Samsung’s Clio hatchback, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, BMW’s first-ever M Performance 7-Series, the M760Li xDrive and Lexus’ hybrid coupe LC500h.

The Seoul Motor Show will last through April 9 at the KINTEX exhibition hall in Goyang, west of Seoul, with participation from 27 automakers displaying 243 vehicles in total.

The auto show highlights eco-friendly offerings as there will be 50 green cars put out by the automakers, including electric, PHEV, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)