Tivoli facelift spied in home market while Mahindra readies S201 for launch

New spy shots of the 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli (facelift) snapped in South Korea have surfaced online, courtesy of Bobaedream.co.kr. The front and rear are heavily camouflaged on this prototype, while the side profile is unchanged.

Ssangyong could be taking feedback from existing owners of the Tivoli, and prospective sub-compact SUV buyers, to implement these exterior design changes. On the inside, the Tivoli facelift is expected with revised trims for the seat, dashboard and doors, and the touchscreen entertainment system is expected to support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (it supports neither at the moment).

The Ssangyong Tivoli received a 4-star Euro NCAP rating, losing a star due to a failure in the retention of the rear dummy, "allowing excessive forward movement and protection of the head was rated as poor". A press release from Euro NCAP stated that SsangYong is "investigating the cause of the failure", and it is reasonable to expect a solution in the facelifted Tivoli. Tim Smith, Ssangyong Motor Australia’s managing director, told a publication that the 4-star rating won't change until there's a facelift, and added that the Tivoli facelift is expected in Australia in Q3 2019.

Also read: IAB readers spot the Mahindra Rexton (SsangYong Rexton) on public roads

For the Indian market, parent company Mahindra is using the Tivoli as the basis for its sub-4 meter SUV codenamed S201. Reports suggest the S201 will be launched in January with 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol offering 140 hp. This engine, jointly developed by Mahindra and Ssangyong, could find its way to the Tivoli facelift.

[Images from Bobaedream.co.kr]