SsangYong lays bare four-year product plan
BY TUNG NGUYEN | 30th Jul 2018
OVER the next four years, SsangYong Australia will bulk out its initial four-model launch line-up with a new-generation Korando mid-size crossover, an as yet unnamed Kia Sorento-rivaling monocoque large SUV and new versions of its Musso pick-up.
SsangYong will launch its all-new Korando in its home market of South Korea from mid-2019, with an Australian debut expected in the third quarter of next year to try and steal sales away from the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and market-leading Mazda CX-5.
Details are yet to be confirmed, but SsangYong is promising a newly-developed turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine will be on offer that outputs around 120kW of power and 260Nm of torque, as well as active safety features such as autonomous emergency braking for “five-star” safety and an option for a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The current Korando’s 2.2-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines could also carry over in new-generation guise.
Before the end of 2022, SsangYong will introduce its fifth SUV that will slot between the Korando mid-sizer and Rexton seven-seat high-rider, targeting compatriot South Korean vehicles such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.
A newly-developed eight-speed automatic will underpin the fresh model, while it will also share its platform with SsangYong’s new-generation Rodius (known as the Stavic in Australia) also due before 2022.
When asked by GoAuto if a new SsangYong people-mover was on the cards for Australia, the brand’s local managing director Tim Smith said he sees opportunity in the segment.
“Why not, if it stacks up? The current one no, but future product, definitely if there’s a reasonable business plan, I’m all for it,” he said.
“I’ve been involved in people-mover markets before – it’s fairly stable with a little bit of decline but it’s dominated by only a few manufacturers. We’re all for looking at areas of opportunity, sub sections and niches.”
SsangYong’s flagship Rexton large SUV and mechanically related Musso pick-up will also be refreshed by 2022, netting performance upgrades from 133kW/400-420Nm to about 149kW/441Nm.
The Musso – one of SsangYong’s launch models in November – will also gain a new variant in early 2019 with an extended wheelbase, longer tray and rear leaf spring suspension compared to its sibling’s coil spring rear.
As for the Tivoli and XLV, the aforementioned 1.5-litre turbo engine expected to debut in the Korando will also make its way into the two small SUVs when they are facelifted in mid-2019.
The Tivoli however, will be the only vehicle to receive a new 1.2-litre turbo engine that develops around 97kW/230Nm to become more competitive in Europe’s strict emissions-focused market.
SsangYong’s model roadmap will result in three overall platforms – one underpinning Tivoli, XLV and Korando, one for the unnamed large SUV and Rodius, and a ladder-frame chassis for the Musso and Rexton.
Further down the line, SsangYong will also look at building its first battery electric vehicle based on the small SUV platform of the Tivoli and XLV with a targeted driving range of 400km.
A 48V mild-hybrid system is also in the works and will likely be introduced in one of its large SUVs before proliferating across the line-up.
Further into the future, SsangYong has stated its intention to build an emissions-free pick-up, as well as rolling out autonomous vehicles globally from 2023, with connected services debuting in its home market of Korea from next year.
