Mahindra has commenced testing the SsangYong Tivoli in the market and could showcase the model at the upcoming Auto Expo in order to gauge customer feedback ahead of launch.
The SsangYong Tivoli has turned out to be a highly appreciated offering for the Korean carmaker in its home market as well as Europe and rumours were rife of the model making its way to India as the second product from the manufacturer after the Rexton. Adding fuel to the rumours, our eagle-eyed reader Krishna BS has snapped the Tivoli on test in Bangalore hinting that the model will be making its debut on the Indian soil soon.
The SsangYong Tivoli was launched internationally earlier this year and is currently on sale in a number of markets including the UK. With the 2016 Auto Expo on its way, it is quite certain that the Tivoli will be showcased at the biennial event in a bid to gauge customer feedback while the launch can be expected towards the end of this year or in early 2017.
If the SsangYong Tivoli does make it to the Indian market, the newly developed 1.6-litre e-XDi 160 diesel engine will be the mainstay motor and is tuned to churn out 115 PS of power and 300 Nm of torque in its European avatar. Internationally, the model also comes with a 1.6-litre petrol engine tuned for 128 PS and 160 Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual and Aisin sourced automatic transmission (a derivative of which is seen on the new Mahindra XUV500) will also be on offer. A 4×4 variant is a possibility as well on the compact SUV.
With squarish lines and a sharp profile, the SsangYong Tivoli looks young and dynamic aimed at younger buyers and its good looks have certainly rubbed on the upcoming Mahindra KUV100 as well. The interiors are feature loaded and will help put up a good fight against the Hyundai Creta in the segment along with the Renault Duster facelift that is also scheduled for an Auto Expo debut. To be locally assembled, it will be interesting to see how SsangYong and Mahindra position the Tivoli in the compact SUV segment.
