Ssangyong Kyron 2010 News

The Chinese-controlled Korean brand Ssangyong wants to reinvent itself in Australia with a new distributor and a reinvigorated “100 per cent pure diesel engine” line-up. If they pull it off, it'll be some feat. Ssangyong has been derided in these parts as a poor person's Mercedes, partly because of the more than somewhat derivative Chairman executive car, while what might be politely termed as the “singular” styling of the Stavic people mover launched a thousand quips. Launching the 2008 range, though, the impression is very much that better established brands who would laugh at Ssangyong do so at their peril. The brand that sold a meagre 2123 vehicles in 2007 will surely surpass their unduly modest 3200-unit target for this year. A new distribution company, SsangYong Motor Australasia, allies current distributor Russell Burling with the West Australian-based Barbagallo Group. Operating from its own premises near Sydney Airport, Burling says the company has the pull to access all-new vehicles from Korea within two weeks of production, by far the fastest of any imported marque. This line-up consists of either all-wheel or rear-wheel drive SUVs, twin cab utes and people movers, all stuffed with standard equipment, all priced lower than last year and all powered by a diesel engine. “That Mercedes connection is not something we have to advertise, people are aware of it,” Burling says. “The engine blocks are cast in Mercedes' South African foundry and assembled in Korea. But we don't need that connection, we can stand on our own two feet.” Ssangyong has lately become the biggest client of the all-Australian, Albury-based firm Drivetrain Systems International (DSI); manufacturer of the sophisticated six-speed tiptronic automatics for Ssangyong's top spec models. Ssangyong, Burling says, will offer the cheapest six-speed-slushers and the cheapest diesels in their class. “There is a huge move from petrol to diesel at the coalface. Six cylinder sales are going to suffer." “As to the price gouging on diesel, I think the Rudd Government will deal with that and realise that diesel is the good fuel for Australia." “I'm not saying we'll see it go to 70 or 80 per cent diesels here as it has in France, but it will be a dramatic change.” Ssangyong is offering a four-model lineup — Sports dual-cab; Rexton and Kyron, SUVs; and Stavic people mover. Each is topped by a model designated SPR, save for the outgoing Actyon SUV, which will be no more by year's end and is being run out at $29,990 — the cheapest diesel SUV around. SPR features include anti-rollover protection, Brake Assist, T-tronic auto transmissions with thumbs up shift controls, full leather trim, climate control airconditioning, slide and tilt sunroofs, rain sensing wipers, auto dimming mirrors and automatic headlight controls. Standard features on all models — be they ever so humble — include Electronic Stability Program, ABS with four wheel discs, alloys, curtain airbags and parking sensors. While other budget brands offer SUVs, the newly redesignated Sports — a dual cab utility with standard tray liner — offers a point of difference. The Sports Dual Cab 4x2 starts from $28,990, the all-wheel-drive from $31,990. That six-speed auto with cruise control is a $3K option on both. The auto and standard SPR is $39,990. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo diesel, good for 104kW at 4000rpm and 310Nm from 1800rpm. “There is no doubt that if you have to spend more than two hours day in your work vehicle then this is by far the most comfortable,” Burling claims. “I'm happy to stand up and be tested on that.” The Kyron medium SUV has either the Sport's 2.0-litre engine (at $32,990) or, in the SPR, a 2.7-litre 121kW/340Nm common rail turbocharged diesel (from $39,990). The range topping Rexton SUV uses the 2.7-litre unit and is priced at $35,990. The new Rexton II RX270 SPR priced is $49,990 with a 137kW/402Nm variable geometry turbo version and maximum equipment levels. Amusingly, given the riot that is its rear-end, it's the Stavic's grille that has been restyled. The base model is $32,990, the SPR $39,990. Burling admits that the Ssangyong name still causes some confusion, as opposed to the old Musso moniker.  

Diesel fuel made from plant material may receive an environmental tick, but one importer has issued a stern warning about its use in their vehicles. Korean manufacturer SsangYong has released a facelifted all-diesel Kyron SUV. However, the importers have advised against using bio-diesel, which could compromise their warranty. Sales of sub-standard bio-diesel remain unchecked and there have been a growing number of cases of contaminated fuel systems, they say. SsangYong say they can't honour a warranty repair on damage, which has been caused by dodgy bio-diesel fuel. They say when a case comes in they take two samples of fuel; one for SsangYong with the other going to the owner for independent testing. Even if testing proves that inferior fuel has caused injectors, fuel pumps and rails to fail it can often be a hard task determining when and where the dirty fuel was put in the car. The owner is often caught in the middle with car companies and service stations absolving themselves of blame. An owner could face a bill of up to $6000 if it is found in the injectors, fuel pumps, rails and fuel lines need to be replaced. SsangYong is advising against using bio-diesel, reinforced by a warning sticker placed inside the fuel flap of its diesel-fuelled vehicles. There have been a number of cases reported in the past year. Ssangyong Australia managing director Keith Timmins says faulty fuel will not completely void a warranty but he says his company cannot pick-up the bill if some service stations are “selling rubbish.” “If it's proven with our test of the fuel that it's faulty then whatever repair needs to be done is not warrantable. However, the rest of the vehicle's warranty remains intact." “There hasn't been a lot of them full stop but there's been enough to worry about and the problem is broader than just ourselves. I know of a $23,000 repair job on a Range Rover because of dirty bio-diesel.” There are no known hotspots where inferior bio-diesel is sold in Queensland; however some parts of Western Australia have come under the microscope. Timmins says the problem with bio-diesel and new age diesel engines is amplified by the non-enforcement of standards. “The standards for bio-diesel in Australia are not really enforced.” Ssangyong Australia sales and marketing general manager Brad Larkham says dirty bio-diesel is a growing issue. “It's a growing issue as diesel gets more accepted in the mainstream and no one wins." “It's a three-way tussle (car maker, fuel provider, owner) over who's going to hurt the least,” Larkham said. Is it fair that manufacturers and service stations to absolve themselves of liability? Are you a bio-diesel 'home brewer'? Are there manufacturers whose warranties aren't voided by using bio-diesel? Tell us what you think below...

Mothers around the world have long advised that “You should always tell the truth.” And it seems it can pay off. Take the peculiar-looking Kyron, for example. In March last year, SsangYong attracted plenty of attention in Australia when it launched its Kyron SUV with looks only its mother could love. With its “ugly-duckling” appearance, SsangYong admits the attention wasn't all positive. But the South Korean manufacturer took the criticism on board and made some changes. The facelifted Kyron has just hit town with a cleaner, more modern look. It's not quite the swan of the segment, but a big improvement over its predecessor. The new Kyron has fewer lines for a cleaner, smoother look and features completely new front and rear ends. It wears the SsangYong family grille on its nose and while the design has been altered, it still has that identifiable SsangYong and Kyron DNA. It continues to be available with two diesel engines with the block and cylinder heads sourced from Mercedes-Benz. And while changes have been more than skin deep, the powertrains deliver the same performance. The smaller 2.0-litre engine produces 104kW and 310Nm from as low as 1800rpm, while the 2.7-litre, five cylinder turbo diesel extracts 121kW and 340Nm also from 1800rpm. There has been some engine tweaking, with the main improvement an Exhaust Gas Recirculation system to satisfy the latest emission standards. This means the Kyron now meets Euro IV. The fuel consumption sits at a claimed 7.7-litres per 100km for the smaller engine and 8.7-litres per 100km for the larger one. Although there's no onboard fuel consumption reading to confirm this, the needle barely moved after 200km of mainly highway driving. The price tag has also been 'tweaked' and is now $2000 less than the previous starting prices. The 2.0-litre manual, known as the M200XDi, starts at $32,990. The 2.7-litre M270XDi is priced from $36,990. The five-speed T-tronic automatic transmission adds $3000 to the price. Despite the price drop and a reasonable package, it still seems a little too expensive for what it is. On the road, the 2.0-litre automatic we tested was an adequate drive. While the almost truck-like noise of the engine was loud at slow speeds and when working up through the gears, it was less noticeable once we hit the highway. At faster speeds it cruised along discreetly and was a comfortable drive, although feeling a little bouncy at times. There's a noticeable delay in power delivery, especially from a standstill, which can be a problem when you think there's enough break in the traffic, but it takes you a little longer to get up to speed. For most of the time, the Euro IV Kyron operates in rear-wheel-drive, but head off-road and there's a knob that allows you to manually switch into high or low-range four-wheel-drive. The Kyron proved quite strong on the dirt track, even powering through a steep incline. The new 18-inch wheels provide a strong stance on the road and grip nicely off-road, too. Inside, the setting has been updated with a black theme throughout, changed gauges and a new cloth seat trim. The centre console is positioned towards the driver and has a very simple layout. At this stage, the Kyron doesn't come standard with Electronic Stability Control and it's not even offered as an option. But SsangYong says it may be available in the near future. Keith Timmins, managing director of Rapson Australia, which distributes SsangYong here, says it's currently a pricing issue. The company is not convinced there would be a big take up of the feature if offered at the price it would be given. But it is something the company is considering. SsangYong has added side curtain airbags to the front and rear of the 2.7-litre. Standard equipment on both models includes ABS, dual front SRS airbags, reverse parking sensors, a single-disc CD player and roof rails. SsangYong sees its main competitors as including the Holden Captiva and Kia Sportage, and while the Kyron comes in at $500 dearer than the starting diesel Sportage model, the Captiva base model is $2000 more expensive. The face-lifted Euro IV Kyron is an improved model but in such a competitive segment, seems to be priced a little too high for what it is.   Snapshot Ssangyong Euro IV Kyron Price: M200XDi $32,990 (manual), S35,990 (auto), M270XDi $36,990 (manual), $39,990 (auto) Engine: 2.0L/4-cylinder turbo diesel, 104kW/310Nm, 2.7L/5-cylinder, 121kW/340Nm Economy: M200XDi 7.7L/100km, M270XDi 8.7L/100km Transmission: 5-speed manual, 5-speed T-Tronic auto