It takes a lot of guts to use one of your company’s old nameplates and to apply it to a new type of car altogether.
Ssangyong, which had been on the brink for years, has been given a new lease of life by Chinese automaker SAIC, which took over the firm six years ago. It’s now a sister brand to the far better known MG.
Newly released to the European market is the Ssangyong Korando, but unlike the Jeep-like vehicles that have borne this name since 1983, the new Korando is a two-litre, diesel-powered SUV rivalling models such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson and Samsung QM5.
The car has a new platform and has been styled by ItalDesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro, one of the world’s most famous automotive designers. Giugiaro is perhaps best known for various Italian exotica such as the Maserati Bora, but he also penned the Hyundai Pony, the first well known exported Korean car.
Ssangyong claims a power out put of 175 PS, fuel economy of 6 l/100km (47 mpg) and carbon dioxide emissions of 157 g/km.
Both two- and four-wheel-drive models will be offered, with the first UK deliveries taking place in January 2011.
The original Korando, which bore the Dong-A brand in Korea, was based on the AMC Jeep CJ-7, while Korea’s first car, the Sibal, was based on the Willys Jeep.—Jack Yan, Publisher
You may also like
“Ssangyong, which had been on the brink for years, has been given a new lease of life by Chinese automaker SAIC, which took over the firm six years ago. It’s now a sister brand to the far better known MG”
Not anymore it’s not, you have not been following the break-up of SAIC-Ssangyong marrage carefully. Ssangyong Motors have been in bankruptcy protection since Feburary 2009 when SAIC refused to help Ssangyong out during the economic crisis. The new owner of Ssanyong is India’s Mahindra & Mahindra, takeover is to be completed by Feb/March 2011.
Thank you, GG. I stand corrected.