Ssangyong Actyon Sports 2008 News

It's more a renovation than a reconstruction, but the Indian-owned, Korean-built ute gets its 2-litre turbo-diesel engine a tweaking to broaden its torque band, and a 14kW increase in power to 114kW.The Actyon Sports ute comes in three versions - entry-level Tradie, mid-range SX and top of the range SPR - with the Tradie and SX available in 2WD or 4WD versions with a choice of a new six-speed manual transmission or a redesigned six-speed automatic.The SPR comes only as a 4WD automatic. Ssangyong says fuel economy and emissions are improved. The 2WD Tradie and SX manual models claim an average of 7.3 litres/100km and the 4WD manual has 7.4 L/100km. The automatic 2WD claims 7.6 L/100km and the SPR is 7.9 L/100km.Standard kit on all models includes Bluetooth, trip computer, USB/iPod connectivity, airconditioning, heated side mirrors and windscreen and a liner for the tray.But to get electronic stability control, buyers have to go to the SX or SPR models. These two also get alloy wheels, cruise control and a leather-bound steering wheel.The SPR model adds leather seats, climate control for the airconditioning, rear park sensors, 18-inch alloys, electric front seats, folding side mirrors, electronic dimming rear-view mirror, auto wipers and auto headlights, and headlamp levelling device.Externally the ute has some new panels and grille and is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. The Actyon Sports Dual Cab Ute starts at $26,990 drive away and has a three-year or 100,000km warranty with three years roadside assist.

It's the one with the Aussie made six-speed automatic transmission.The details follow the launch of the ute in the Korean market under the 'Korando' nameplate.Ssangyong Australia boss Jeff Barber said anticipation was already building as to the direction the Korean car company will take in the Australian market with the new addition."We're really looking forward to launching the Actyon Sports, especially if overseas reactions to the new tough-looking design of the concept vehicle are anything to go by," he said. The vehicle will form part of Ssangyong's value for money diesel range."While we can't reveal the specifications for the Australian market until launch date, we're confident of giving our competitors a run for their money," he said."What we can say at this stage, is that there will be three derivatives the Tradie, Sports and SPR, available in 4x2 and 4x4, six-speed manual and Australian-made six speed automatic transmission."

The new Ssangyong Actyon Sports crew cab will be made available as a 4x2 and 4x4  and is fitted with an imported six-speed manual as standard. However, it  will also be available with a six-speed automatic transmission made in  Albury by Drive Systems International.It is the factory that supplied Ford Australia until last year and had  made transmissions for Chrysler in the 1970s when it was named BorgWarner.The new Actyon Sports Ute, like the current model, will be diesel only. It is expected to be extremely easy on the bowser with an official fuel  economy rating of around 6.5 litres per 100km, which could well make it  the most efficient ute in Australia.The new powerplant is far more miserly than the previous engine, which  used an official average of 8L/100km with a manual gearbox and  8.7L/100km with an automatic.The 2.0-litre four-cylinder common rail turbo diesel generates 114kW and  360Nm of torque. This is a sizeable jump over the last unit, which  generated 104kW and 310Nm.Ssangyong's Australian importer Sime Darby has conformed the new ute  will be available in three model grades: Tradie, Sports and SPR, which  also make up the current line-up.The new ute will have a sharp price and deliver when it comes to  standard equipment, says Ssangyong Australia chief, Jeff Barber."While we can't reveal the specifications for the Australian market  until launch date, we're confident of giving our competitors a run for  their money," he says.Ssangyong will have an easier job selling this Actyon Sports ute thanks  to its design which is certainly less polarising than the previous model  which copped criticism for its radical styling.