by Malcolm Baylis (01 Oct 02)

The new Rexton 4x4 from the SsangYong stable is looking a doubtful contender on the United Kingdom market, certainly for the immediate future. It is big, quite comfortable, high powered and not particularly economical. But the problem is finding someone to sell it.

The Rexton is handicapped by an image problem from the start. Since it entered the UK market in 1995, SsangYong has not experienced the best of times. Its large mid-range Musso off-roader, followed a couple of years later by the entry-level Korando, failed to capture the attention of the British driver.

Then, in 1998, SsangYong was bought by Daewoo, but two years later the Daewoo conglomerate collapsed. As part of the break-up, SsangYong was jettisoned and re-established as a separate company. Daewoo has recently been accepted into the General Motors family, SsangYong has not.

Now SsangYong, flying an independent flag and boasting the motto "Small But Powerful. The New SUV Leader", has decided to specialise in 4x4s and people carriers, hence the launch of the flagship Rexton.

Quite where it might be bought, however, is debatable. SsangYong was hoping to secure a deal to sell the Rexton through the Daewoo network, but this has now been abandoned, at least for the time being. A Daewoo spokesman said that the reorganisation of the company did not include sales of the Rexton. Perhaps in the future that might change.

Early hopes of selling 2000 Rextons a year could therefore prove to be difficult. Meantime, UK customers sold on owning one will have to nip over to Ireland, where it is on sale.

Still Mercedes Power Trains

So, if or when it eventually does arrive, look for the Rexton with a "neo-futuristic" design, a new body structure, a whole new platform, a choice of two engines made under Mercedes-Benz license, and a price ticket of £20,000, making it competitive with the Land Rover Freelander. Overall, not a bad package.

SsangYong decided to launch its new vehicle from the sacred confines of one of Scotland's famous golf courses, and the ride and drive took in much of the west coast, on roads that were one minute fast and the next tortuously winding and demanding.The Rexton's ride quality turned out to be reasonable, bar a little rolling at some rather sharp bends. Unlike the Musso's torsion bar setup, the Rexton sits on coil springs and a double wishbone suspension.

The choice of engines is reassuring. Rexton will be available with a choice of two, a 3.2-litre petrol and a 119bhp 2.9-litre turbo diesel. Only the petrol version, the RX320, was available at launch for testing. This particular engine features an in-line six-cylinder design fitted with chain-driven dual overhead camshafts.

Fuel management is via micro-processor controlled electronic ignition and fuel injection system linked to an electronic throttle for drive-by-wire precision. The engine produces a maximum output of 216bhp at 5750rpm and a peak torque of 229lb/ft at 3750rpm.

It is certainly powerful, but the Rexton is also a mighty two-tonnes and the power build-up is not the fastest around. Nonetheless, once on the move everything runs smoothly.

Engines are matched to a four-speed automatic gearbox, with a lock-up torque convertor which can be applied at cruising speeds to improve efficiency and economy in third and fourth gear. A five-speed manual transmission is also available.

Like its Musso and Korando stablemates, the Rexton has the make-up of a true off-roader, although most of the time it will no doubt be used on the road with the engine driving the rear wheels only. For the more adventurous, both low and high ratio four-wheel drive becomes available using a push button change, and there is also a torque-on-demand system, which detects a loss of traction and compensates by transferring thrust to the front or rear wheels, as required.

Reasonable Interior

Inside, Rexton's cabin offers a design theme of wood-grain plastic trim matched to metallic and chrome finishes. All the gauges and switches are handily together, and the driver gets a steering wheel with tilt adjustment and variable power assistance.

Other design features include ticket holder, overhead sunglasses holder and hide-away dual cup holders. The centre console houses the audio and heating/air conditioning systems.

Rain sensing wipers, sensors to turn headlights on and off automatically and a rear parking bleeper are among the electronic wizardry controlling the Rexton.

Much of the ride comfort is down to the ergonomically designed seating, and the front seats can be provided with a heating option, while the driver's seat is available with a memory option for three different drivers. The Rexton's wheelbase is long, which allows plenty of space for five adults and their luggage, but add a third row of two seats and boot space becomes a premium.

The new sports utility is built on a special ladder frame using reinforced beams to protect driver and passengers, especially while off-roading, and this is supported by ABS anti-lock braking and automatic braking differential, with a limited-slip differential available as an option only with the ABS.

Finally, that neo-futuristic body styling means a muscular body, bold projected headlamps, a chromed radiator grille, and fog lamps integrated into the front bumper.

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