SsangYong XIV-1 Unveiled: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show

FRANKFURT, Germany — A reinvigorated SsangYong showed off the SsangYong XIV-1 crossover at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The Korean automaker said the XIV-1 is "more than just a design study" and called it a "concept version of SsangYong's premium B-segment CUV project, which will lead to the addition of another mass-production model."

The SsangYong XIV-1 gets either a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder gas engine or a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder diesel.

The name is short for "eXciting user Interface Vehicle," the automaker said. It said that many of the vehicle's functions, including the audio system, are controlled by smart mobile devices.

The unveiling of the crossover is a critical indication of the health of SsangYong. India's Mahindra and Mahindra last year acquired a controlling interest in SsangYong. The Korean automaker specializes in SUVs and was forced into court-supervised receivership when it was controlled by China's Shanghai Auto.

Mahindra plans to launch a diesel pickup in the U.S., but there was no word this week on whether a version of the SsangYong XIV-1 is set for North America.

Inside Line says: Don't expect to see this Korean crossover in your driveway anytime soon.