SsangYong e-SIV Concept hints at future electric SUV with Level 2 Autonomy

SsangYong is practically announcing its intentions to offer an electric vehicle –an SUV competing in the C-segment – by unveiling the new SsangYong e-SIV electric concept at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Penned under the design concept of ‘New horizon, smart dynamism,’ the new e-SIV embodies the brand’s future approach to electric vehicles, autonomous driving as well as connectivity.

Building SUVs is nothing new to SsangYong, as the South Korean carmaker prides itself as a specialist maker of utilities and other vehicles that are designed for on-the-road and off-the-road use. The brand sees the new vehicle concept as instrumental in shaping the next generation of its utilities and EVs. The new e-SIV – which stands for stands for Electronic Smart Interface Vehicle -- is SsangYong’s fifth electric car concept shown at Geneva Motor Show. It follows the KEV1 in 2010, KEV2 in 2011, e-XIV in 2012, and Tivoli EV-R in 2015.

Essentially, SsangYong developed and built the new e-SIV concept to demonstrate not just its commitment to electric vehicles, but also its approach to creating a connected mobility solution and autonomous driving. As intended, the new e-SIV is both a styling study and a technology concept.

The design of the new e-SIV is derived from that of SsangYong’s next generation C-segment SUV. This dynamic, compact and balanced design follows the carmaker’s design language of ‘New horizon, smart dynamism.’ It basically provides a glimpse into future appearance of the brand’s electric SUVs. On the exterior, the new e-SIV is immediately identifiable as a coupe-SUV, featuring a highly practical and convenient body. It is styled to offer the space and rugged styling typical of an SUV, while delivering high levels of aerodynamic efficiency.

With the new e-SIV, SsangYong is showing that its next generation will be functional, efficient and dynamic. The new e-SIV also serves as a platform for an advanced connectivity interface as well as autonomous driving.

Inside, the new e-SIV offers an organized cabin space with four independent bucket seats. Its smart, user-centric interface is complemented by a wide and clear information display. Its instrument cluster comes with clear graphics suited for autonomous driving and future connectivity. The interior also features a Geonic pattern used for the soft materials, while ambient light surrounds the instrument panel and door trims.

As a technology concept, the e-SIV comes with a smart interface fused with the very latest technology. As made possible by machine learning-based voice recognition, autonomous navigation and the Internet, the new e-SIV realizes SsangYong’s aspiration to create a car for people and the future.

The new e-SIV boasts of Level 2 autonomy that makes use of a radar and camera sensor system. This autonomous driving technology could recognize the lane that the e-SIV is in while maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles on the road. It is possible to unlock Level 3 Autonomy by installing an additional sensor.

The new e-SIV offers a connected car function divided into three primary parts. The first is remote charging through a certain smartphone app. Second, the telematics service allows the use to remotely control a number of functions like turning the power on and off as well as vehicle management. Third, this connected car function offers an infotainment service that allows for the creation of personalized functionality.

PRESS RELEASE

SSANGYONG SHOWCASES ITS ELECTRIC e-SIV CONCEPT AT GENEVA

As a specialist manufacturer of SUVs, SsangYong has developed a wide range of cars for use on-road, off-road and in both urban and leisure environments. e-SIV is a C-segment sized electric vehicle (EV) and is the company’s fifth electric car concept to be exhibited. Previous models include KEV1 in 2010, KEV2 (2011), e-XIV (2012), and Tivoli EV-R shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to EVs.

e-SIV - which stands for Electronic Smart Interface Vehicle, has been developed to demonstrate SsangYong’s approach to creating a connected mobility solution and autonomous driving. The company recognises that change in future mobility will only result from positive consumer interest, engagement and experience, and e-SIV will be central in helping to shape the next-generation of SsangYong SUVs and EVs.

With a compact, balanced and dynamic design to create a sporty looking car for the future, the e-SIV is based on the design of SsangYong’s next generation C-segment SUV.

Styling concept

e-SIV was inspired by SsangYong's design language that embraces the power and dynamism found in Korea’s natural environment and interpreted in all its recent new car designs. Through the new design concept of ‘New horizon, smart dynamism’, this prototype articulates the future look for SsangYong electric SUVs.

The coupé design blends an attractive body shape with usability and convenience to differentiate it from other EV models, and is intended to position the brand as one that appeals to different future lifestyles.

The concept is intended to show that SsangYong’s next generation of cars won’t just be functional, but will also offer efficiency with dynamic driving characteristics. It will also provide the platform for an advanced connectivity interface along with new user experiences such as autonomous driving.

The design cues communicate the principal values of youthfulness and sportiness, while the subtle design echoes the silhouette of a coupé while retaining the space utilisation and rugged style of an SUV, yet also aerodynamically efficient.

The interior design reflects the changes that SsangYong has embarked on to create a smart, user-centric interface within a balanced and organised space, and is equipped with four independent bucket seats.

The wide and clear information display is designed to make the car user-focused for the driver and passengers, with a really spacious feel. The instrument cluster communicates information and messages via clear graphics suitable for self-driving and fully optimised for future connectivity.

As with the display on the main console, the second-row centre console not only allows information to be shared with rear seat passengers, but is also adjustable to enhance interior space utilisation.

The interior has a bright and contemporary ambiance, with a Geonic pattern used throughout for the soft materials, especially creating a comfortable environment for the driver when driving autonomously. There is also ambient light around the instrument panel and door trims to complete the harmonised atmosphere.

Technology concept

The e-SIV realises the vision of creating a car designed for busy people. The SsangYong aspiration has been to build a car with a smart interface that fuses perfectly with the very latest technology to become a mobile communication space. Through machine learning-based voice recognition, the internet and state-of-the-art autonomous navigation, SsangYong will create a car for people and the future.

Autonomous driving

The autonomous driving technology applied to the e-SIV uses a radar and camera sensor system. This stage 2 self-driving technology recognises the lane the car is travelling in, and can maintain a safe distance between it and other vehicles on the road. This can be further enhanced with an additional sensor to increase the automatic lane and active driving function to achieve self-driving stage 3.

Connectivity

The connected car function applied to the e-SIV consists of three major parts.

Firstly, it can charge the car’s battery remotely by monitoring the charging progress through a smart phone app based on LTE communication with the electric car specialised service.

In addition, it manages the charging station information in real time, predicts the driving range based on the amount of charge in the battery, and selects the optimal driving route accordingly.

Second, the telematics service enables a number of functions to be controlled remotely. These include turning the power on and off, the air-conditioning, car diagnostics and vehicle management, emergency driving in case of an incident and even driver safety support.

The third element is an infotainment service. This creates personalised functionality tailoring services to meet individual convenience via machine learning speech recognition, and works through partnerships to manage music, radio and inter-connected home control.

This new SsangYong connected car service, is intended to improve both safety and convenience.