Reborn Ssangyong Musso lands
Ssangyong Australia believes its new-generation Musso dualcab 4x4 pick-up will offer a point of difference to its rivals, with both its Korean heritage and sharp driveaway pricing.
Speaking at the re-launch of the Korean brand in Australia, Ssangyong Australia PR and product planning manager Andrew Ellis said the Musso should be on all pick-up buyers’ shopping lists.
“One thing our competitors from Korea lack is a full-size LCV, and that’s where I think the Musso is really going to cut across,” he said.
“I think we’ve seen the rise of some of the other brands because of their price point, so we’ve not only got a great price point, but we’ve got a brand with 4x4 heritage, with all the features they are looking for.”
At launch, the Musso will be offered in three trim levels, all of which come with dual-cab bodystyles, a 4x4 driveline and the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine.
The Musso undercuts most of the volume-selling dual-cab 4x4 pick-ups on the market with a starting price of $30,490 driveaway for the six-speed manual EX grade, which increases by $2000 when opting for the six-speed automatic version.
Moving up to the mid-spec, the autoonly ELX will cost buyers $35,990 GULYHDZD\ ZKLOH WKH ÀDJVKLS 8OWLPDWH tops out at $39,990. For reference, Toyota’s cheapest 4x4 Hilux, the 2.4-litre Workmate single-cab manual, asks $36,990 plus on-roads.
Ssangyong Australia general manager Tim Smith said he believed the value of the Musso was one of its strongest selling points.
“All our competitors for their topspec products are charging well above $40,000, so the fact we nip in just under that on a driveaway plus metallic paint, I think that’s a testament both to RXU SODQQLQJ DQG KHDG RI¿FH¶V IDLWK LQ us,” he said.
All versions employ the same 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 133kw at 4000rpm at 400Nm of torque at 1400rpm, with selectable four-wheel drive and lowrange gearing and a limited-slip differential to help in off-road conditions.
With its high-strength ladder-frame chassis, the Musso sports a 3500kg braked towing capacity, while its coilsprung rear suspension allows for a
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The Musso’s braked towing capacity was originally rated at 3000kg, however, after working with towing specialist Trimotive to develop a stronger tow bar, the rating has increased to match the segment leaders.
In the second quarter of 2019, the Musso range will be bolstered by the addition of a workhorse version that increases its wheelbase by 300mm, extends the bed length to 1600mm and swaps out the coil-sprung rear for leaf packs, which will increase payload to over one tonne. An entry-level 4x2 version will also be added.
Combined fuel economy is rated at 7.9 litres per 100km for the manual, up to 8.6L-100km with the auto, with a 75-litre fuel tank as standard.
Inside, all models come with Bluetooth connectivity, while Apple Carplay, Android Auto and a reversing camera are standard on the ELX and 8OWLPDWH ([FOXVLYH WR WKH 8OWLPDWH are a front camera and surround-view monitor.
Standard safety equipment across the range includes autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning, which is not available from launch but will be rolled out late January or early February.
The Musso is yet to be tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, however Ssangyong will be WDUJHWLQJ D ¿YH VWDU UDWLQJ
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All Ssangyong models come with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with seven years of scheduled servicing and roadside assist.