At last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, SsangYong displayed the XIV-1 Concept for a compact crossover in the likes of the Range Rover Evoque.

Now, the South Korean automaker has announced plans to showcase a second body style of the study called the XIV-2 ‘convertible’ concept at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon in March.

Whereas the XIV-1 was a five-door model with "suicide style" rear doors, the XIV-2, (which stands for eXciting User Interface Vehicle 2), is a three-door crossover featuring a one-touch automatic opening soft-top roof that incorporates the rear window and rolls back in a similar way to Fiat's 500C.

The new SsangYong XIV-1 Concept is undoubtedly that, a concept study, but according to the South Korean manufacturer, it also provides a very good indication of an upcoming crossover model described as a "premium B-segment CUV".

From certain angles, the exterior design of the XIV-1 does bear a resemblance to the Range Rover Evoque, especially up front with the clam shell design of the hood and the wheel arch lines (see here).

After teasing us with a trio of smoked out artist's renderings a couple of weeks ago, SsangYong has released two new images of the Frankfurt motorshow-bound XIV-1 concept study, this time without the shade effect.

The South Korean automaker, which is now part of India's US$12.5 billion Mahindra Group, supports that the XIV-1 as a "premium crossover utility vehicle (CUV)" designed for the global market.

Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra's acquisition of SsangYong earlier this year resulted in a fresh investment into the South Korean automaker, which is now preparing a new concept model for the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Today, SsangYong released three cryptic renderings of the Concept XIV-1 that is being described by the automaker as a "premium Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV)".