Ssangyong's new bakkie world's best?

Published Mar 3, 2011

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Ssangyong used the recent Geneva Motor Show to show off its SUT 1 concept, which the company says is an evolution of the Actyon Sports bakkie.

Given the fact that Ssangyong has released some very detailed specifications pertaining to the concept, we can't imagine that what you see here is going to be very different from the vehicle that replaces the Actyon bakkie early next year.

If nothing else, this South Korean SUV specialist lacks nothing in ambition, stating that: "The goal of the SUT 1 concept is simple - be the world's best pick-up truck." You also trying to keep a straight face?

Laugh if you want but the new bakkie still seems to be a reasonably big improvement over its predecessor, even if they haven't completely shaken off the controversial styling habit, leading us to wonder if Chris Bangle isn't secretly lurking in a corner of their design studio.

The SUT 1 is powered by a 2-litre turbodiesel engine that's good for 114kW at 4000rpm and 360Nm between 1500 and 2800rpm and while it's not going to give any of the established double cabs a scare in the urge stakes, it does have a relatively low CO2 figure of 193g/km in rear-wheel drive form.

Of course, a four-wheel drive version is also available, while transmission choices comprise six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes.

The chassis should ensure car-like comfort though, with a double wishbone suspension at the front end and a five-link set-up at the back. It's also at the cutting edge of active safety, at least by bakkie standards, with an electronic stability system fitted.

The interior, which hasn't been shown to us yet but which Ssangyong assures offers spacious seating for five, gets a welcome dollop of modern convenience features such as a rear-view camera and Bluetooth audio.

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