What's the news?

It may surprise you to learn that there are more than just hypercars being unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show and the new SsangYong Rodius is one of the most surprising. Put away the eye bleach though, as it's actually not bad looking.

Exterior

The last Rodius was, how shall we say, something of an eyesore... and that is being polite. Thankfully SsangYong recognised this (how could it not?) and has gone to great lengths to make the new MPV more aesthetically pleasing. While the overall shape is familiar from the current car it wears a new front-end that is said to 'combine strength and fluidity' while creating a 'sporting, luxurious and dignified tone.' We are not 100 per cent sure of that but there is no doubting that it is a vast improvement over the original.

Interior

Thanks to a 3,000mm wheelbase, the new Rodius offers plenty of room inside with space enough for seven adults (or at least five adults and two children in the rearmost seats). Behind the third row is a generous load area that can be further increased by removing the third row completely. The second row of seats can also be folded individually and used as tables for impromptu picnics and there is still sufficient room to accommodate airline style seat back folding tables.

Mechanicals

The Rodius is powered by SsangYong's own 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 155hp and 360Nm of torque. This unit can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed T-Tronic auto borrowed from Mercedes-Benz.

The new Rodius features double wishbone suspension up front and an independent multi-link design at the rear for better ride quality, while rear-wheel drive is offered as standard with four-wheel available as an option.

Anything else?

The new Rodius was unveiled alongside the SIV-1 concept, a further interpretation of the XIV that was originally shown in Frankfurt in 2011. Designed to embody the brand's philosophy of 'Robust, Specialty, Premium' there is still no word on it actually being built. Hurry up SsangYong...

Paul Healy - 6 Mar 2013