SsangYong to release long-wheelbase Musso

SSANGYONG has unveiled a long-wheelbase (LWB) version of its Musso dual-cab ute, which is set for an Australian release in the second quarter this year, with pricing – and its name – yet to be confirmed.

Launched in December, the standard-wheelbase (SWB) Musso is priced from $30,490 to $39,990 driveaway, however SsangYong Australia managing director Tim Smith said pricing is still being finalised for the new model.

“The response from dealers and customers to SWB Musso has been outstanding, but we are already fielding numerous inquiries for the LWB,” he said.

“We're still locking down pricing but, as we demonstrated with the SWB version, we're confident Australian customers can expect fantastic value for money.”

Mr Smith did confirm that the vehicle will be available in three trims – EX, ELX and Ultimate – and will come standard with autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning.

The LWB Musso is known as the Khan in Korea, where it has already launched, although Mr Smith says that SsangYong’s local wing is still deciding on an appropriate name.

Compared to the SWB Musso, the LWB is 310mm longer and 15mm higher and features a wheelbase that has been extended by 110mm.

While power comes from the same 2.2-litre turbo-diesel unit from the regular Musso, torque has been lifted from 400Nm to 420Nm. Payload is also significantly increased, up 30 per cent, from 790kg to 1020kg.

To cope with the dimensional changes, SsangYong has employed a new leaf-sprung rear suspension set-up, as opposed to the SWB Musso’s coil springs.

Full specifications are still unknown, however SsangYong has confirmed that the ELX will benefit from blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert, while the range-topping Ultimate will gain surround-view cameras.

To distinguish the vehicle from its smaller sibling, the LWB sports a unique grille, which SsangYong says was inspired by the historic Parthenon temple of ancient Greece.