• SsangYong Actyon Sports facelifted – a return to normal

    Yesterday, we saw the fourth-generation SsangYong Korando (sold as Actyon in Malaysia) receive a mild facelift, today we check out the facelifted Actyon Sports pick-up truck. Compared to the Korando’s nip/tuck, this is a major change from the unusual to the normal – looks like SsangYong’s new Indian owners don’t like the old mantra of standing out by looking odd.

    The bulging “helmet head” of old has gone, and in comes a contemporary and unoffensive face. Despite that, the Actyon Sports is still the most distinctive truck in town as everything else is unchanged, from the rising beltline and large glass area to the number plate on the mega sized tailgate.

    For the latter, SsangYong has listened to complaints – it now takes half the effort to operate (11 kgF from 22 kgF). If you’ve used the old car before, you’ll know what I mean.

    There’s a new “e-XDi active diesel” engine that delivers 155 PS and 360 Nm from (a low) 1,500 rpm to 2,800 rpm. The claimed fuel economy of 7.4L/100 km represents a 7.5% improvement.

    Available features including heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity, Eco-cruise control, a sliding sunroof and ESP. This one could be brought in by SsangYong’s Malaysian dealer, Competitive Supreme, since the previous gen was offered.

     
  • SsangYong Korando – fourth-gen gets facelifted

    The fourth-generation SsangYong Korando has been given a mild facelift, with the rework package consisting of a wider choice of new powertrains, an upgraded exterior and interior as well as improved refinement.

    The vehicle, better known as the Actyon here, debuted in Geneva, and brings along two new engines for the ride, a 149 PS 2.0 litre eco diesel unit and a 2.0 litre petrol mill – these will be available in 2WD and AWD form, wearing manual transmissions.

    External revisions are minimum, led by a chrome-coated mesh radiator grille and contemporary-looking hybrid wiper blades. Inside, the trim has been upgraded to a carbon grain pattern in line with the car’s active look. The switchgear gets a high-gloss finish, and the instrument cluster gets improved LED illumination.

    As for improvements to NVH, a revised gearing along with a new engine casing helps to reduce diesel engine noise, while an enhanced transmission control system improves the overall driving experience.

     
  • SsangYong XIV-2 Concept – the ‘convertible’ crossover

    More on SsangYong’s XIV-2 concept, another Geneva debutant. The ‘convertible’ crossover utility vehicle essentially previews what will shape up as a strategic global model when the form eventually goes into production. Or at least, that’s how the Korean automaker envisions it.

    The 4.16 metre-long B-segment offering blends SUV and coupe lines, as well as its trump card – a fabric roof with a one-touch automatic operating system, so occupants can enjoy open air driving enjoyment at a pinch.

    Inside, the concept features cabin controls that are integrated into a single central system and managed using a centre console mounted screen, and smart/mobile devices use an Auto User Interface to provide passengers with a moving communication space.

    There are four independent bucket seats housed in a comfortable and luxurious environment, and materials and finishes include aluminium and carbon fibre, with red colour highlights on the dials thrown in for good measure.

    The vehicle will feature two engine variants, both 1.6 litre four-cylinder power units in petrol and diesel guise. The petrol has 125 PS and 158 Nm for numbers, while output for the diesel mill is 130 PS and 300 Nm. A choice of six-speed auto and manual transmissions abound for both versions, and there’s Idle Stop and Go (ISG) in there too.

    Ssangyong says the XIV-2 will be introduced in various body styles, including five-door and three-door coupé as well as an extended body version. In any case, it has all come a long way from the likes of the Musso!

     
  • SsangYong XIV-2 concept to make Geneva debut


    Click to enlarge.

    SsangYong is set to give its XIV-2 concept car its debut in Geneva next month. The eXciting User Interface Vehicle 2, to give it its full name, is the follow up of XIV-1 concept that was presented in Frankfurt last year, with a convertible twist to it.

    The XIV-2 measures in at 4.16 metres long, 1.82 metres wide and 1.56 metres tall, with a 2.6 metre wheelbase, and will be equipped with eco-friendly, fuel efficient 1.6 litre diesel and petrol engines meeting Euro VI emission regulations.


    Click to enlarge.

    The Korean automaker is developing the concept as a premium crossover utility vehicle, with a view of it becoming a strategic model for the global market. SsangYong says that the vehicle’s styling cues are based around ‘a special experience with fun’ theme, and blends the characteristics of a robust and powerful SUV with the dynamic style of an open top sports coupé.

    The XIV-2 features a one-touch automatic opening soft-top roof to provide ‘wind in the hair’ driving enjoyment, and its futuristic and aesthetic appearance is very much aimed at bowling over the younger generation.

     
  • Ssangyong XIV-1 Concept for Frankfurt: 2 new images

    Ssangyong have released two new images of their Frankfurt Motorshow concept car, along with an announcement that they’re giving the concept a new name – the Ssangyong XIV-1 Concept. It was previously known as the XUV-1. In this case, the XIV-1 stands for “exciting user Interface Vehicle”. Looks kinda Evoque-inspired don’t you think? I wonder what went on with the name change… perhaps Ssangyong encountered some trademark issues with the term XUV?

     
  • Frankfurt preview: B-segment SsangYong Concept XUV 1

    Here’s what SsangYong will bring to Frankfurt – the Concept XUV 1. The Korean brand, now owned by Mahindra & Mahindra of India, released these teaser pics of their showcar, which we bumped up in Photoshop for a clearer view.

    SsangYong already has the Korando, which is a C-segment SUV. This concept is of a compact B segment sized crossover with a footprint of a supermini, something like the Nissan Qashqai (Dualis in Japan and Malaysia’s grey market), which has been a success for Nissan. SsangYong says that the appeal of such a car is the high seating position and rugged feel of a full sized SUV without any compromise in running costs.

    The Concept XUV 1 uses extensive glass areas along with curved bodywork to “look imposing without seeming to appear aggressive”. The wraparound windscreen visually extends the glass area virtually uninterrupted to the large C-pillars, complemented by a full length glass roof. As with most concepts, the doors are coach style, for now. Not sure why, but the rear reminds me a little of the MINI Countryman.

    The cabin can switch between 1+1+2 or 1+3 seating layouts, but there’s no teaser of the interior. Hi res pics after the jump.
    Read more ›

     
  • SsangYong rolls out updated Chairman W limousine

    South Korean carmaker SsangYong, now owned by India’s Mahindra, has introduced the updated Chairman W luxury saloon. First introduced in 2008, the W is a longer and more luxurious version of the original Chairman, which was first rolled out in 1997 as a Mercedes S-Class lookalike. That car was sold in Malaysia.

    This new car still has plenty of Merc hints, which may draw sniggers elsewhere, but probably works well in Korea. There, the Chairman W fights the Hyundai Equus, and most orders will be in black, with lots of chrome.

    There are three trim levels with different engines. The starter CW600 comes with a 3.2-litre straight-six with 225 PS and 296 Nm of torque. One step up is the CW700 powered by a 3.6-litre straight-six with 250 PS and 343 Nm. There’s also a 5.0L V8 range topper. All engines are paired to Mercedes-Benz’s 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic ‘box, which SsangYong calls T-Tronic.

    The Chairman can be had in standard and long wheelbase format. Even the standard Chairman is 5,110 mm long, with a 2,970 mm wheelbase. The super sized LWB car measures 5,410 mm long, with a massive 3,270 mm wheelbase. Luxury kit includes a 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, multifunction rear seat armrest, touch screen Driver Information System and vacuum doors.

    The Chairman W is priced from 57 million won to 107 million won. Gallery after the jump.
    Read more ›

     
  • New Ssangyong Actyon SUV set for May 2011 local debut?

    Malaysian Ssangyong distributor Competitive Supreme has updated their website to feature a new SUV model – the Ssangyong Actyon, which turns out to be one and the same as the new Ssangyong Korando that was unveiled in November last year. The new Korando started out as the Giugiaro-styled Ssangyong C200 Concept.

    According to Competitive Supreme’s website, the new Ssangyong Actyon will be available as two models – the Actyon 2WD priced at RM119,977.20 OTR without insurance and the Actyon AWD priced at RM129,997.20 OTR without insurance. Both are powered by Ssangyong’s 2.0 litre e-XDi engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

    Other than the AWD system, going step up to the Actyon AWD also gets you larger 18 inch wheels versus 17 inch, ESP stability control with active rollover protection and hill start assist, automatic climate control, an 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, power door mirrors and sunroof, a roof spoiler, and an electric power steering system.

    Competitive Supreme does not list Malaysian specs for the engine but at launch time internationally the Korando/Actyon’s 2.0 litre e-XDi engine was listed to make a peak power of 175 PS and a peak torque of 360Nm from 2,000rpm to 3,000rpm, which is up there with some of the best power/torque to displacement ratios for turbodiesel engines. Not sure what the Malaysian spec tune will be – perhaps the same or maybe different as the engine has been listed as an Euro 6 engine.

    Six colors are listed – a beige interior matched with tonic grey, space black or grand white, or a grey interior matched with vitamin red, sable grey or silent silver. Competitive Supreme says the new SUV will be available as a CBU import from May 2011 onwards.

    Look after the jump for a full gallery of the new Ssangyong SUV as well as the full specs/price list for the 2WD and AWD models. Hat tip to reader Lim for the pointer!
    Read more ›

     
  • Mahindra completes Ssangyong deal as scheduled

    As scheduled, Mahindra & Mahindra has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in SsangYong Motor Company, and now owns a 70% share in the Korean automaker.

    The deal, which has seen Mahindra forking out US$463 million for the purchase, will see Ssangyong investing heavily this coming year on product development and brand building, now that cash is flowing in. Around 240 billion (US$211.8 million) Korean Won has been projected for expenditure, with 200 billion set for product development and 40 billion for brand builidng.

    Mahindra says that no decision has been taken yet on whether there would be any changes involving renaming Ssangyong or with the branding of its products. Plans to launch the Rexton and Korando-C in India have already begun – the two vehicles are expected be introduced there by the end of this year.

     
  • SsangYong SUT 1 Concept – Actyon Sports gets new face

    Anyone remember the SsangYong Actyon Sports? I do, mainly because of its strange looks in a very traditional truck segment, and its 2.0-litre diesel engine with the figures of a 2.5. That same strange looking truck has made an appearance in Geneva, but it looks less oddball now with an all new face.

    This is the SUT 1 Concept by SsangYong, named so because it was designed to be the world’s best pick-up truck (SUT stands for Sports Utility Truck). Don’t throw stones at us, that’s what they said!

    We can see that SsangYong has ditched the Actyon’s bulging forehead and triangle lamps for a sleeker, contemporary grille with long swept back headlamps. They’ve even thrown in some trendy LED strips. Actually, this move to look more conventional isn’t new – the SsangYong Korando SUV that was released late last year could have been from any carmaker, not something that can be said of past models.

    That prominent rising signature line is still there, but it no longer makes a downward sweep at the end of the road. The profile makes for a very high tailgate, and that’s unchanged, although the elements have been reshaped.

    The FR 2.0-litre Active Diesel engine (Euro 5 compliant) makes 155 PS and 360 Nm of torque from 1,500-2,800 rpm (190 Nm available at 1,000 rpm), which not only betters the Actyon Sports’ 141 PS/310 Nm, but beats all 2.5-litre trucks in Malaysia bar the Navara. The engine is mated to six-speed transmissions – auto and manual.

    The SUT 1 has plenty of equipment, including powered and heated leather seats, auto air con, sunroof, ESP, 18-inch wheels, cruise control, Bluetooth and an electro chromatic rear view mirror. Production will start in the second half of this year and market introduction is set for early 2012.

    Hi res pics after the jump.
    Read more ›

     
 
 
 
 
 

Archives