SSANGYONG CELEBRATES ITS DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY WITH TWO SPECIAL EDITIONS
SsangYong is the oldest and fourth largest automotive manufacturer in Korea, and its origins can be traced back to 1954. Since then it has had associations with a number of other well-known automotive brands including Mercedes-Benz, Daewoo and SAIC, which now owns MG. Today it is backed by the engineering conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra, which vies with Tata as India’s largest automotive producer. SsangYong – the name meaning double dragon – has always specialised in producing 4x4s, and today that also includes sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). Its proposition is to offer customers real value, both in terms of price, but also in terms of the size of car and equipment levels included.
The brand first arrived in the UK 20 years ago, and to celebrate 60 years of vehicle production, SsangYong is introducing two special limited editions, one based on its popular Korando crossover and the other on the Rexton W 4×4.
60th anniversary edition Korando
The Giugiaro designed Korando is already noted for its great value, high level of equipment, interior space and 2 tonne towing capability – the Korando SE won The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Award 2014 for vehicles under £16,000 – and has also recently been given a makeover inside and out, as well as enhanced driving refinement.
Externally, the front received an all-new treatment that includes a slimmed down, black mesh radiator grille, contemporary projection headlights and LED daytime running lights, while the interior was given a significant re-design that included a completely redesigned dashboard. Great advances in reducing NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) were also made.
The new Korando is powered by a modern yet well-proven 2.0-litre Euro 5 turbo diesel engine.
Based on the four wheel drive Korando ELX4, this special edition adds 18″ diamond cut wheels, an electric sunroof, rear spoiler and chrome detailing, and is completed with a pearl white lily metallic paint finish. Available in either manual or automatic, it is priced at £21,245 and £22,745 respectively.
60th anniversary edition Rexton W
Built on a steel ladder chassis and with a 3 tonne towing capacity, the new SsangYong Rexton W is a serious off-roader and tow-car, yet with all the equipment and creature comforts expected of an urban cruiser.
Powered by SsangYong’s own 2.0 litre Euro 5 turbo charged e-XDi200 diesel engine offering a level of performance and NVH control that has already been tested, proven and praised in the marketplace. Delivering maximum power of 155ps/4,000rpm and maximum torque of 360Nm/1,500-3,000rpm, it is designed to provide low end torque whatever the conditions on or off road.
Noted for being an extremely competent off-roader, Rexton W uses a body on frame construction for maximum strength – the accepted approach for a ‘proper’ off-roader – and features double wishbone and coil spring suspension to the front, and a five link rigid axle with coil springs at the rear.
Taking the Rexton EX specification, this special 60th anniversary edition adds front parking sensors, an electric sunroof, heated seats front and rear, a power adjustable passenger seat, DAB sat nav and finished in pearl white lily metallic paint.
Available with either 6-speed manual or 5-speed Mercedes-Benz T-Tronic automatictransmission, it has a retail price of £25,995 or £27,495 respectively.
5 year limitless mileage warranty
All models in the SsangYong range are covered by a best-in-class 5 year limitless mileage warranty. Designed to be totally transparent and give customers complete peace of mind, ‘limitless’ means just that: not a maximum mileage condition that some brands impose in their small print. All the major mechanical components are covered including wheel bearings, suspension joints and bushes, steering joints, shock absorbers and even the audio system. Wearable components such as clutch discs and brake friction materials which could have their life reduced by poor driving are covered for one year or 12,000 miles, and the battery and paintwork for three years.