SsangYong Rexton Overview

The SsangYong Rexton is a sport utility vehicle based on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, initially released in Korea by the SsangYong Motor Company in late 2001. This vehicle offers standard appointments such as quiet on-road performance, car-like handling, and off-road capability, and can be configured to seat seven people or as a five-seater. The car's design was also styled by Giorgietto Giugiaro���s Italdesign studio.



SsangYong Rexton


SsangYong Rexton


SsangYong Rexton


SsangYong Rexton


SsangYong Rexton


SsangYong Rexton


SsangYong Rexton


SsangYong Rexton


SsangYong Rexton

SsangYong Actyon Sports now with 6-speed automatic!

Competitive Supreme Sdn Bhd (CSSB), the sole importer and distributor for SsangYong Motor Company of Korea has introduced the first 6-Speed Automatic Transmission Sports Utility Truck in Malaysia by upgrading its Actyon Sports to 6-Speed Automatic.

According to Melvinder Singh, the General Manager of CSSB, �The gearbox is electronically controlled and the software has been designed to maximise the characteristics of the XDi 200 XVT power plant. An Artificial Intelligence program constantly monitors your driving style and adjusts the transmissions characteristics to maximise performance according to your driving pattern, which in turn optimises fuel efficiency and of course driving pleasure. The transmission is linked to the engine via a lock-up torque converter which minimizes energy loss and further improves fuel efficiency�. Melvinder also added that sales of the Actyon Sports had been very encouraging since its introduction on the 6^th of June 2007 and is optimistic that the new 6-Speed Automatic gearbox would further enhance sales.

The Actyon Sports 6-Speed Automatic transmission is equipped with SsangYong's ingenious dual Thumb-Tronic controls and gear changes can be made via the buttons on the steering wheel or on the gear shift lever. It was developed and manufactured by Drivetrain Systems International in Albury, New South Wales, Australia.

The Actyon Sports 6-Speed Automatic is powered by the XDi 200 XVT engine. The two-litre high performance 3rd generation common rail turbo intercooler direct injection diesel engine that delivers 141ps (104 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 310 Nm (31.6 kg.m) of torque from 1,800 ~ 2,700 rpm. Maximum torque is provided over the widest possible rev range for better acceleration and overtaking performance. This is currently the most powerful two-litre diesel engine in its class and its performance easily rivals competitors with much larger engine capacities of up to three litres. It is also very economical and uses only 6.2 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the Extra Urban test cycle. The annual road tax (Private & Company Registration) for the Actyon Sports is also the lowest in its class at RM439.20 as a result of its two litre engine capacity. Additionally, customers who register their Actyon Sports as private vehicles will also enjoy the annual government rebate of RM625.

The Actyon Sports has an electronic shift on the fly (2-High, 4-High and 4-Low) part time four-wheel drive system that offers good on-road and off-road handling.

Apart from the 6-Speed Automatic transmission, the Actyon Sports now comes with a number of new features:

• Chrome front grill.
  
• A sporty integrated Shark�s Fin style radio antenna.
• Chrome centre air vents.
• Adjustable centre air vents.
• Driver�s left foot rest.
• Intergrated rear seat belt buckles with storage pockets.
  
  

Customers will also be pleased to know that there is no price increase for the revised 2008 Actyon Sports despite numerous improvements. The 6-Speed Automatic is priced at RM89,000.00 for the Standard package. The Actyon Sports 6-Speed is now available for sale and customers can view and test-drive the vehicle at all CSSB branches and showrooms.

The Actyon Sports is also fitted with convenient features such as an 8-way power driver�s seat with adjustable lumbar support, tilt adjustable steering wheel, front centre arm rest, height & tilt adjustable front head rests, electric folding door mirrors, a dash fit audio system with controls on the steering wheel, speed sensing door locks, three rear headrests and a rear centre arm rest to name just a few, it is truly designed with Luxury and Convenience in mind.

Its approach to rear seat comfort with a more relaxed rear seat angle of 29 degrees will definitely deliver a distinct advantage. The five-link rear axle with coil springs & dampers and double wishbone front suspension deliver excellent ride comfort and driving stability in comparison to its leaf sprung rivals.

The utilisation of space in the Actyon Sports is also excellent. It is easy to get in and out of thanks to its SUV like ride height and extra large doors. It also offers excellent legroom for all occupants. The deep & wide cargo deck and load bearing cargo door make it a better combination work and family vehicle than most.

There are more options for accessories now which include a full canopy or a sports rear deck cover, the rear D-pillar and 18� alloy-wheels with 255/60 tyres for a more sporty look. Other options include cruise control and leather seats.

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/10/driven-ssangyong-actyon-sports-xdi-200.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-ssangyong-actyon-sports.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-ssangyong-actyon.html

Tried and Tested: SsangYong Actyon Sports XDi 200

By Dr Long

Click on images to enlarge
I must admit I was really impressed (somehow!) by looks of the new SsangYong Actyon SUV at the last Bangkok Motor Show. My close pal � a big time Toyota freak - finds it hideous even though its miles better looking than the knights-and-armour themed Kyron sibling. In short, this is one vehicle that you can easily say �I think I�ll pass� if you can�t get beyond its unique (some would say odd) looks.

Imagine my curiosity when SsangYong�s sole importer and distributor in Malaysia, Competitive Supreme Sdn. Bhd. launched the Actyon - sans the SUV-coupe�s rump � just a few months back. They even advertise their first pick-up, called Actyon Sports, with a somewhat ambitious tagline: �The Luxury Sports Utility Truck�. Well, their marketing guys may have gotten a little overboard with the tag �luxury� and �sports�, but the truck is surprisingly good and well-appointed with many first(s)-in-class, provided you could digest that shark nose and steely stare of those slanty-AND-rounded headlamps.

I am saying it�s good because of the grunty amount of turbo-diesel torque from a low 2000rpm that shoves the 2tonne vehicle meaningfully. Though the 4-speed gearbox has a strange initial lag before it takes off, the truck can be quick once it gets going. Overtaking manouvres are a breeze and I found myself shooting past other vehicles quicker than in my supercharged E-Class! In-gear acceleration is impressive as I found that gears hardly need to downshift from the 3rd or 4th cog.

SsangYong�s turbodiesel lump, dubbed XDi 200, is really superb, with that Garrett variable geometry turbocharger plus 3rd generation common-rail fuel injection. The Mercedes-Benz derived oil burner is silent, responsive and powerful. For those who absolutely must know the tech figures: they are 141ps @ 4000rpm and 310Nm @ 1800 � 2700rpm. The fuel gauge sank slowly after I had traveled interstate, on highways and even ventured into my dad-in-law�s rubber and durian plantations! Much as I tried to burn up the full-tank of diesel, I had failed miserably. (Something I had achieved easily over one other weekend in another brand of truck).

Mostly the ride is supple albeit a little too wobbly due to its body-on-ladder frame structure, I guessed. Very minimal road noise, silent cabin and a really cool (literally!) auto-climate A/C scored further points for this new SsangYong. Vibrations from the diesel engine were not palpable on the door trim, steering and front headrests. Soft touch surfaces are generously splashed on the dashboard, door trim, centre-console lid and armrests. Much has been said about the first-in-class rear five-link axle with coil-spring suspension, in place of the usual heavier-duty leaf springs. So, does it work for better ride comfort for the rear occupants? Yes and convincingly so.

The rear bench can accommodate three adults in reasonable comfort, while the backrest (with adjustable individual headrests) isn�t as upright as the rest of the pick-ups. However, the coil springs didn�t do much for improved handling as I reckoned the Triton tracks better around corners (especially in '4H' mode). That said, my advice is to leave the Actyon SUT in �2H� drive mode for all tarmac outings. You�d get a better balance with just RWD propulsion and hence more neutral handling. To be fair, I must say the Actyon Sports is a very stable and capable highway cruiser. It will breach highway speed limits easily and will soldier on to near-190km/h if you absolutely squeeze the throttle on that longer bit of deserted road. Interestingly, both gas and brake pedals appear to be suspiciously similar to corresponding items found in three-pointed star models. While we are at the driver's footwell here, I did find the absence of a proper footrest tiring on longer drives.

The other little discovery was that the suspension may have been made to ride better above 80km/h or so, because going over speed strips can be rather jiggly at lower rolling velocity. My suspicion is the lack of tightness the body � especially at the flat bed part � bonds with the ladder chassis. While parked, closing the door hard can even bring about a little scuttle of the body sideways. I could still recall testing the behemoth Stavic MPV a little over 3 years ago (for another local auto mag), but I didn�t feel so much of such �wobbly� sensation. Not satisfied, I had briefly checked out the Coupe version of the Actyon at SsangYong�s Bangsaria showroom. I found that the SUV �cocoon� bodyshell held up better against this door-closing-test. Ditto for the SsangYong Kyron SUV, by the way.

Well, I guess paying RM133k vs RM93k does have its additional perks. For what�s it worth, the SsangYong Actyon SUT (Sports Utility Truck) is definitely worth a second look for its refined, powerful but frugal engine, if not for its brutish and unique visage or executive sedan-like cabin specifications.

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-ssangyong-actyon-sports.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-ssangyong-actyon.html

You may want to read this:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/drive-review-mitsubishi-triton-25l-di-d.html

New SsangYong Actyon Sports

By Dr Long

In a rather unexpected and surprising move recently, Competitive Supreme, official franchise holder and distributor for SsangYong vehicles in Malaysia, unveiled the sporty-lifestyle SUV Actyon in the form of a pick-up! The Actyon SUV (seen in the 3rd picture below) is actually a much better looking (read: less goofy and weird) replacement model for SsangYong�s �iconic� Musso SUV. I would think that the SsangYong Kyron is more deserving to have its wrinkly and somewhat-sagging �butt-and-pelvis� chopped off to make up for a Sports Utility Truck. SUT is SsangYong�s lingo for their pick-up.

Under its bulging hood, a Mercedes-Benz derived 3rd generation common-rail turbodiesel pumps out 141ps of power at 4000rpm and spins a torque of 320Nm from a low 1800rpm through to 2700rpm. The Acyton also features variable geometry turbocharging. Such output figures while not segment-leading (the Ranger TDCi � also with VGT - claims 143ps) but it is undeniably in a class of its own with the most powerful 2.0L oil burner.

To put things in perspective, it even betters the figures of the larger 2.5L powered Mitsubishi Triton (136ps), Toyota Hilux (102ps) Nissan Frontier (133ps) and even the 3.0L Isuzu D-Max (130ps). The gearbox is however, still a 4-speed unit and has a low range transfer case, switchable between high and low ranges via push switches. Apart from a lower annual roadtax, a smaller capacity engine usually translates to overall lower fuel consumption as well, but then again that�s pretty much dependent on style of driving, traffic conditions, tyre pressures et al.

The black leather interior looks like that of a passenger car with the dashboard taking styling cues and features from both the Kyron and Rexton II. Being a CKD model, prices are indicated to be just sub-RM90k. It is available for viewing and booking at all SsangYong showrooms nationwide.

New SsangYong Actyon

By Dr Long

The new SsangYong SUV called Actyon is one of the other few truly new vehicles on display at the Bangkok Motor Show 2007. At 20cm shorter than its elder ugly-�duckling� sibling Kyron, plus a coupe-like rear profile, this reskinned model is much fresher, sportier and more desirable. It is also lighter than the Kyron � 1,870kg against 2,004kg. Wheelbase is the same for both models, so likely they are riding on the same platform, though SsangYong isn�t telling on this. Even the engine is the same as the Kyron�s, a 1998cc 4-pot common-rail turbodiesel punching out 141bhp and 310Nm. The turbocharger has been updated with an improved turbine geometry called XGT, instead of the previous VGT. The engine now is also greener now, being Euro-4 compliant (previously Euro-3). Once again, whether all these are all applicable for the Malaysian oil-burners scenario remains a big question mark, since we are pathetically still Euro-1 at the pumps!

Actyon is visibly targeted at a younger audience. The moniker is a word-play between �action� and �young or youth�. Even though categorized as a small-sized SUV, there is enough space and versatility for most sports and lifestyle activities. Performance figures should approximately be the same as the Kyron, but by weighing 130kg lighter, this new Korean SUV will likely be quicker off the block. Possibly having better agility and handling too. Practically even better mileage to every tankful of diesel as well.

Seeing the Kyron and Actyon parked side by side, both designs are quite similar, especially the side profiles. While the front share just a subtle resemblance, the butt of the Actyon is like �heaven and earth� when contrasted with the sagging-bum of the Kyron.
The shapely and sharp big-eyed headlights are very modern, with a single inward-slanting grille (phew! no more double-layered grilles), drawing inspiration from the SsangYong SV-R concept. Even the creased-ribs on the shark-nosed bonnet are the same of the concept car, successfully rendering a muscular stance up front.

The rear screen is very sloping, much like a sports coup�, but the Actyon is tagged as an SUV. A little paradox here but all design elements gelled-together rather well when witnessed in the flesh, or rather metal. What remains to be seen however, is whether Competitive Supreme will launch this leaner, sleeker and more athletic looking SUV-Coupe-Crossover in Malaysia anytime soon.

Pictured above is a jacked-up SsangYong Stavic MPV, displaying its mechanical drivetrain, suspension and floorpan. While below are the equally inspiring dancers after a show routine. Last but definitely not the least are the other - more elegant - SsangYong models at the Bangkok Motor Show 2007!