SsangYong Teams up with Italdesign’s Giugiaro and here’s the result

From the moment we laid eyes on the first sketches of SsangYong’s C200 Concept car, we knew something was wrong. Here’s a product from the Korean automaker that is actually –we can’t believe we’re saying this- likable. How could the same company that produces some of the ugliest cars in the world like the Rodius and Musso (see after the jump), make a 180 degree turn from one day to the next? Well, the answer is actually quite simple and it lies in the involvement of Giugaro, whose ItalDesign styling house is working closely with the Korean automaker. -Continued

SsangYong, which is under the control of China’s Shanghai Automotive Industries Group, plans to use ItalDesign to shape the appearance of its future portfolio and the C200 Concept that will enter production in 2009 is just the beginning. The compact SUV signals the start of a major product offensive from SsangYong that will see 20 new models based on five new platforms being introduced over the next five years.

Although SsangYong will remain primarily focused on SUVs and crossovers, don’t be surprised if the Koreans introduce vehicles in other segments based on models from parent company SAIC which owns the right to produce cars based on Rover platforms.

SsangYong C200 Compact SUV Debuts in Paris

Unless you have some twisted automotive fetish for vehicles like the Rodius and Actyon, the C200 Concept study that made its world premiere at the Paris Salon is by far the best looking product in SsangYong’s current line-up. Even though we do detect a hint… of Kia Forte (see here) in the C200’s fascia, overall not a bad attempt from the Chinese owned Korean automaker. The production version of the C200 which should arrive in the market in late 2009 will be virtually unchanged from the concept. -Continued

Notably, the C200 is the first SsangYong to feature a monocoque construction as existing SsangYong models sold in Europe feature separate body/chassis construction. Although this platform can also be used with a front-wheel drivetrain, the C200 employs SsangYong’s full-time four-wheel-drive system. Power is provided by a new 175HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that’s mated to a latest generation 6-speed manual gearbox.

Paris Show: SsangYong C200 Concept SUV

Fancy that; Korea’s SsangYong has actually managed to design a vehicle that looks like it may appeal to other groups of people other than the partially blind or social outcasts. Of course the C200 that will make its first appearance at the Paris Show is just a concept which means that the Korean automaker’s team still has time to mess it up in a Rodius or Actyon kinda way.According to SsangYong, the C200 that previews a future compact SUV is the company’s first model to use a monocoque body. Equipped with a four-wheel-drive system, the C200 is powered by a 175 HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine matted to a six-speed manual transmission.