Geneva show: SsangYong serves up SUT 1 ute

RESURGENT South Korean brand SsangYong has taken the covers off its reskinned SUT 1 utility in Geneva this week, a vehicle that paves the way to next year’s successor for the Actyon Sports Ute.

Due on sale here in the first quarter of 2012, the new five-seater utility has emerged with an ‘Active’ 2.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel offering similar outputs to the modern engine just released in the Korando compact SUV but one that “focuses on low-end torque efficiency”.

Designed to meet both Euro 5 and Euro 6 emissions regulations, the so-called ‘FR 2.0 Active Diesel’ produces 114kW of power at 4000rpm – which is down on the 129kW available on the Korando’s engine – and the same 360Nm of torque, although the latter is produced from 1500-2800rpm rather than between 2000-3000rpm on the SUV.

SsangYong also says 190Nm is available from 1000rpm on the Active engine.

The heavily revised ute will continue to be available with a choice of two-wheel drive or part-time 4WD drivelines, with the choice of manual or automatic transmission (six-speed units on both counts). It also sticks with a heavier-duty separate chassis construction.

Left: SsangYong SUT 1 at Geneva show. Bottom: SUT 1 design sketch.

In rear-wheel drive form with a manual gearbox, the SUT produces 193 grams of CO2 per kilometre – a considerable improvement over the less powerful current model, which uses a 104kW/310Nm 2.0-litre diesel and returns 212g/km as a RWD manual.

The CO2 ‘target’ for the SUT 4WD manual is 198g/km.

No fuel consumption figures have been quoted, with SsangYong saying only that the ute’s efficiency has been improved over the current 8.0L/100km (RWD manual).

Kerb weight ranges from 1854kg (about 50kg more than the current model) to two tonnes, while gross vehicle rate is between 2640kg and 2740kg.

Electronic stability control will be introduced to the vehicle for the first time, while other safety features include dual front airbags, daytime running lights, front and rear foglights, four-wheel disc brakes and a rearview camera and rear obstacle warning system.

Cabin equipment available on the SUT (subject to model grades) will include a sunroof, Bluetooth phone connectivity, trip computer, electric front seats, leather upholstery, automatic climate-control air-conditioning, steering-mounted audio controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power folding exterior mirrors, cruise control, a “dual remote electronic keyless entry system” and an MP3/CD player with RDS function.

Outside, the vehicle is shod with 16-inch alloy wheels (18-inch wheels are also available) and, aiding access to the tray, there is now a hinge spring-type tailgate mechanism. The load deck is two metres square, while the wheelbase is an identical 3060mm to the current Actyon Ute.

The tale of the tape also shows length of the SUT is 4965mm (down 20mm) and width 1900mm (down 10mm), while overall height remains at 1755mm.

A double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension arrangement also carries over.

Production of the new-generation utility will begin in South Korea in the second half of this year, while export markets, including Australia, will receive their first shipments early in 2012.