SUVs
Ssangyong's new baby
Credit: Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com)
Korando evolves into a modern crossover with a new platform and engine not developed by Mercedes anymore.
Styling & Packaging
After showing the C200 concept at several motor shows last year, Ssangyong this week takes the wraps off the all-new Korando sport-utility vehicle.
The C-segment compact SUV designed by the famous Italian house Giugiaro has been engineered to appeal to European buyers, although it will be a model also with appeal to the rest of the world.
Ssangyong says the latest generation Korando is built on a monocoque platform to enhance on-road driving dynamics with struts and multi-link suspending the front and rear ends respectively.
Its predecessors focused on mud-plugging ability with a traditional chassis-on-frame floorplan that's still employed in the Kyron, Actyon and Rexton sport-utes.
The Korando sits on a 2,650mm wheelbase length aimed at giving competitive cabin room against the likes of the Honda CR-V. The Korean SUV is a five-seater whose rear seats can fold flat for increased boot area.
Engine & Transmission
There’s a new six-speed automatic ’box.
At launch, only one engine was announced: a 175hp 2.0-litre turbo-diesel mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Both transmission types have two- or four-wheel drive system to choose from.
For the all-wheel-drive variant, Ssangyong says that 100% of drive goes to the front wheels under normal driving and some of it will go to the rear ones when necessary.
A new feature of the AWD system is the Lock mode that can fix torque between the left and right rear wheels at speeds under 40kph.
Unlike other existing and previous Ssangyongs, the engine is said to be developed on the brand's own and doesn't come from Mercedes-Benz anymore. The transmission comes from an Australian-based drivetrain supplier.
Performance figures for the so-called eXDi200 engine in automatic form is 10.8sec from 0-100kph and a combined economy rating of 16.7kpl.
Ssangyong says a more powerful engine is due next year including a greener variant most likely to come with the increasingly necessary automatic stop/start system.
Market & Pricing
Latest Korando is designed by Giugiaro.
The Korando will be available for delivery at the start of next year, with a likely Thai debut at this month's Motor Expo. Whether it will replace the rakish-looking Actyon here remains to be seen, although it does so in Rus
sia.
That means the Korando will be priced at some B1.5m in completely built-up form undercutting the Hyundai Tucson, also an import with prices between B1.7-1.8 depending on specification (FWD or 4WD).
Although the Korando will still be pricier than Asean-built SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, it will have the diesel engine to boast _ even over the Chevrolet Captiva which comes with a bigger body and dated VM Motori diesel.
The B2m seven-seat Kyron is supposed to be the more appropriate rival for the Captiva _ also developed in Korea, in product terms.
Credit: Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com)
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