New Ssangyong X100 to rival Nissan Juke

The new Ssangyong X100 baby crossover - a budget rival to the likes of the Nissan Juke  - will be launched at next year's Geneva motor show.

Developed in conjunction with new part-owner Mahindra, the crossover sits on an all-new platform and will be sold in the UK, where company bosses expect it to help double the brand's sales to around 2000 cars a year. Buyers will get a choice of a new 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engine.

"This is a big car for us, because it marks the beginning of a new era for the company and pitches a wparticularly well-priced car in to a growing segment of the market," said Ssangyong UK's marketing manager, Steve Gray. "We are the niche Korean brand, and we always will be, but we think we can exploit that to deliver quality cars for an affordable price. That clearly resonates with some car buyers, and will do so in the future."

Ssangyong has recently committed to developing new models in its core 4x4, SUV and MPV markets, with Gray suggesting that the next new launch would be an SUV even smaller than the X100. "It is where the market is heading, and we think we can produce something eye-catching and appropriate," he said.