Musso 4x4 to spawn CV line
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by Alan Anderson • Korean firm SsangYong has launched the Musso 4x4 in the UK—and the firm says a van variant of its Mercedes-powered passenger vehicle is "a distinct possibility".
A prototype Musso pickup will appear at the Seoul Motor Show. This could lead to a range of lightweights for the UK based on the SWB three-door model which is due out next year; commercial versions were part of the original design brief.
The SsangYong is imported by the IM group, and will initially compete with the company's Isuzu Trooper (gradually being phased out in this country) but prices are keener as the car range starts from just under £16,000. It could prove useful to rural operators who need a go anywhere vehicle with more refinement than the Lada Cossack and Suzuki's defunct SJ.
CM has driven the new Musso and if a van or pickup maintains the same standard it would be an excellent workhorse.
Power comes from the 2.9-litre, five-cylinder Mercedes-Benz diesel fitted to M-B's Ti van which is being replaced by the Sprinter. Four-wheel drive can be selected on the move, making the Musso a capable all-rounder.
With 94hp (70kW) and 1351bft (183Nm) of torque performance isn't the Musso's forte—more powerful petrol models are to come. But a low ride height and rack-and-pinion steering (both rare in a "serious" 4x4) give it good road manners and it doesn't disgrace itself off-road.