Stylish SsangYong reaches SA

No need to rub your eyes, SsangYong has really produced a decent-looking vehicle here.

No need to rub your eyes, SsangYong has really produced a decent-looking vehicle here.

Published Mar 25, 2011

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Certainly few will disagree that this is the most stylish vehicle that SsangYong has ever created. Then again, the real credit goes to the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro design house that penned the new Korando that's just gone on sale in South Africa.

Only one model is available for now, the 2-litre CRD 4x2 manual, which sells at a rather steep R294 995 - should SsangYong really be selling a vehicle at mainstream pricing? Consumers will no doubt be voting on that one.

That said, it is a far cry from any other vehicle that SsangYong has sold before and we're not only talking looks here - it's a true crossover vehicle built on SsangYong's first monocoque platform.

To go with its car-like construction is an all-new e-XDi200 turbodiesel engine that's good for 130kW at 4000rpm and 360Nm at 2000 - 3000rpm. Power is channelled through the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

Not only is it powerful, but combined fuel consumption is rated at 6.1 litres per 100km, equating to just 159g/km of CO2.

On the practicality front, the new Korando seats five occupants and its boot swallows 486 litres worth of luggage.

Key standard features include a six-way adjustable driver's seat, reclining rear seats, leather seats, cruise control, a trip computer and a six-speaker MP3/CD player with USB slot, Aux port and steering-mounted controls. Safety kit includes ABS and EBD, but unfortunately not the side and curtain airbags that you'd expect at this price level.

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