Rapson takes wraps off Stavic

AUSTRALIAN Ssangyong importer Rapson Holdings used the Brisbane motor show to launch the first in a range of Stavic people-movers, with the 121kW/342Nm 2.7-litre common-rail turbo-diesel version going on sale in late March.

Featuring conventional doors like Mitsubishi’s Grandis and the only rear-wheel drivetrain in its class, the first Stavic will join the Musso Sports dual-cab ute and three-door Korando and five-door Rexton SUVs on sale here.

The large Stavic seven-seater MPV, to be available with a five-speed manual or optional Mercedes-Benz five-speed auto ($3000), offers rain-sensing wipers, power windows, ABS and dual air-conditioning as standard, with options including leather trim ($2000), sunroof ($1000) and a rear-view camera.

The turbo-diesel Stavic will be joined by an all-wheel drive version by May, with a 3.2-litre petrol engine to be offered in June and an eight-seater option due on stream in the third quarter of 2005.

The South Korean SsangYong brand’s Australian line-up will be bolstered by the Chairman large sedan around April, featuring a Mercedes-sourced 3.2-litre six-cylinder offering 161kW.