Car News

The Ssangyong XLV concept debuts the latest evolution of the South Korean car maker's design language and previews its next-generation compact SUV. Unveiled at this week's 2014 Geneva motor show, Ssangyong says the XLV (for ‘exciting smart lifestyle vehicle’) provides an insight into its all-new Mazda CX-5 rival that will become one of the brand’s “core strategic models to underpin its future growth”.

Hyundai can’t afford to ignore the growth in the sub-compact SUV class, according to the brand’s European president and chief operating officer, Allan Rushforth. Hyundai is one of a number of brands that hasn’t yet revealed its intent for a sub-compact SUV to compete with the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Holden Trax and Renault Captur.

A new sub-compact Mazda CX-3 SUV has already been penned and appears very close to making its debut. CarAdvice exclusively reported the Japanese brand’s plans for a new baby SUV to sit below the CX-5 in 2012, but it appears the new model could be closer than first anticipated. The company hasn’t confirmed it will build a CX-3 model to rival the likes of the Holden Trax, Peugeot 2008, Ford EcoSport and Nissan Juke, according to Mazda Australia public relations manager, Steve Maciver.

The long-rumoured Alfa Romeo and Mazda partnership now looks likely to result in a Fiat or Abarth Roadster rather than an Alfa Romeo convertible, according to the Italian company’s boss. Speaking to the media at yesterday’s Geneva Motor Show, Sergio Marchionne said the project with Mazda is still on going, but hinted that it’s unlikely to be used as an Alfa Romeo model.

The premium Hyundai Genesis lineup could soon see the addition of an SUV variant, according to one of the senior-most executives of the brand's European arm. Allan Rushforth, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor Europe, suggested to CarAdvice at the Geneva motor show that a luxury-focused SUV would be a logical offshoot for the Genesis line.