THE anti-SUV lobby will have little to shout about as a new Ssangyong vehicle hits our roads this week.

The Actyon is the newest entrant to the compact SUV segment which has seen a 40% increase in January sales year to year.

This five-door five-seater comes with a two-litre turbo-diesel Mercedes Benzinspired engine that is as environmentally friendly as any two-litre turbo-diesel saloon.

The engine puts out 141bhp and can return 7.8L/100km (35mpg) in mixed driving. The C0 2emissions are under 100g/km.

James Devine, managing director of Ssangyong, says that the engine is clean and is an ideal match for the Actyon which is aimed at the younger owners in the SUV market. The unique shark-like grille and bonnet and hawk-eye lights give the newcomer a very distinctive look and will make it stick out in an increasingly crowded SUV market.

The new offering comes in the wake of earlier Ssangyong models such as the Rexton, Rodius and Kyron which have helped give good exposure to the brand.

There will be four versions of the Actyong all with the two-litre XDI turbo-charged engine. The two-wheel-drive version with cloth upholstery and manual transmission and air conditioning will be the biggest seller at Euro31,950.

The next level up has the option of fourwheel drive - which can be engaged while the engine is in gear - and costs Euro3,000 extra with the automatic transmission costing an extra Euro2,000.

The top of the range - which comes with leather upholstery, climate control, side airbags, privacy glass, electric folding mirrors, a parking aid system and 18" alloy wheels - costs Euro40,950. The four-wheeldrive in high gear provides good stability in non-tarmac situations and on icy roads while the low gear comes in handy in the event of encountering off-road terrain. The four-wheel-drive models come with a sophisticated multi-function electronic stability programme, an active rollover protection system, a brake assist system and a hill descent control, all of which add up to a very impressive safety package. All versions get speed-sensing door locks.

Behind the wheel the driver gets a high driving position with an eight-way adjustable seat and remote steering mounted audio controls. All controls are within easy reach. For passengers there are lots of cup holders and storage areas. There are also storage compartments in the cargo area which is a bit on the small side, although rear seats can be dropped to create greater space when necessary.

Ssangyong plans to sell 450 units in a full year and expects that 60% of sales will be with the two-wheel-drive version. The company launched the bigger Kyron just 12 months ago in the mid-sized SUV market and there are now four passenger and four commercial models on offer at prices ranging from Euro25,000 to Euro43,500.