Ssangyong Motor on Tuesday unveiled the name of its all-new compact sport-utility vehicle, the Tivoli, pledging to make the new car a game-changer in the crowded segment.

According to the carmaker, the name Tivoli originates from an Italian resort town some 30 kilometers east of Rome. It also comes from Tivoli Gardens, a theme park located in downtown Copenhagen, Denmark.

“It is a famous story that Walt Disney was largely inspired by the Danish theme park before he built his own Disneyland,” the company said in a statement.

“Like the name, the Ssangyong Tivoli, equipped with fresh styling and powerful performance, will offer inspiration and excitement to drivers.”

The Tivoli is Ssangyong’s first new vehicle in three years. The carmaker has recently started its pilot production at its Pyeongtaek plant in Gyeonggi Province with an aim to launch the car in January.

On Tuesday, Ssangyong also allowed a sneak peak of the car ― both the interior and exterior ― by revealing rendered images. Since the stylish concept model was unveiled at the Paris motor show in October, expectations have been riding high among potential customers here.

“I have recently test-driven some 100 rival models, including the GM Trax, Renault Samsung Motors’ QM3 and the Mini Countryman. I think the X100 (Tivoli’s project name) has secured its own competitiveness to lure customers,” said Ssangyong Motor CEO Lee Yoo-il in an earlier interview.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)