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Shown at the Geneva motor show and expected here early next year is the SUT1 concept that will replace the Actyon ute. By its own admission, Ssangyong says the current Actyon is "polarising" and has presented SUT1 with a neater nose and softer lines along the flanks.
A product range that is less "polarising" should help sales. It's not scratching up as Ssangyong's best year on record despite probably its best range of vehicles. It has sold 173 units year to date in 2011 compared with 238 in the same period last year.
But SUT1 may change that. It gets a Euro-5 compliant engine similar to the 114kW/360Nm 2-litre turbo-diesel in the new Korando and either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. Ssangyong Motors Australia general manager, Jeff Barber said the SUT1 concept has a more contemporary look.
"The SUT1 concept has styling that will find ready acceptance in today's dual cab ute market, " he says. "Australia is the fourth largest market in the world for utes and it is a very crowded and competitive sector.
"However with the next generation Ssangyong Actyon I believe we will have a vehicle that will become a real force in the dual cab ute category. Like the Korando this is another new Ssangyong that can sell on style as well as substance, but the new Actyon Sports' beauty will be much more than skin deep."
The SUT1 concept has the same dimensions as the current Actyon Sports ute, with a length of 4965mm, a width of 1900mm and a height of 1755mm high. It sits on a 3060mm wheelbase. Barber says it will only come as a dual cab ute in the same ilk as the current Actyon Sports with a large deep load tray at the rear.
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