SsangYong: New Cars 2012
Reignited by the introduction of the Korando compact SUV in February 2011, the South Korean manufacturer will enjoy another boost early in 2012 when the all-new Actyon Sports ute arrives in local showrooms. Ssangyong Australia managing director Jeff Barber hopes to sell 3000 vehicles across the country in the New Year, up from approximately 1700 in 2011. Barber admits the company’s new slogan ‘A lot of car, a little price’, which replaces ‘We live diesel’, opens the brand up to selling petrol-powered vehicles in our market again. He said the Korando was the model most likely to get a petrol engine, and while this variant may sneak into the final months of 2012, it probably won’t come to Australia before 2013. Barber also confirmed Ssangyong was in the early stages of research and development for a production car based on the Range Rover Evoque-esque XIV-1 Concept from September’s Frankfurt motor show. He said that vehicle would not be available until at least 2014.
SSANGYONG ACTYON SPORTS
Vehicle type: Light commercial. Timing: March
Ssangyong follows the lead of the Volkswagen Amarok, Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 with significantly more sophisticated new vehicle in the pick-up segment. The final design of the new Actyon Sports will be revealed early next year, and will be based on the SUT-1 concept from September’s Frankfurt motor show. Three will be three variants: Tradie, Sports and SPR. All models will feature a 114kW/360Nm 2.0-litre diesel engine (up 10kW/50Nm on the previous model). It will be available in 4x2 and 4x4 modes and will come with the option of a six-speed manual or Australian-made six-speed automatic transmission. Ssangyong Australia says it will have the second-widest load area in its class, and says it will be competitively specified and priced. The outgoing Actyon Dual Cab ute ranges from $24,990 to $39,990 driveaway.
Click to read more about the 2012 SsangYong Actyon Sports.
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