(Thu 14 Feb 08)

The entire line-up of SsangYong vehicles sold in the UK has been completely revised. This is one result of a change that happened last year, when a subsidiary of the huge Italian automotive group Koelliker was created to take on the distribution of SsangYongs in this country.

The Kyron (pictured above) now comes in six forms, most of them with a two-litre turbocharged turbo diesel. There's a choice of two trim levels, S and EX, and front- or part-time four-wheel drive, giving a range of five models costing between £14,995 and £20,995. For £22,495 there's the 2.7-litre V6 petrol-engined SPR.

In the Rexton SUV line-up there are three models - S, S Auto and SPR - costing from £19,995 to £24,995, and all using a 2.7-litre turbo diesel engine.

Finally, there's the Rodius MPV (pictured above), a car which has not won any automotive beauty contests as far as we're aware. There are four versions of this under the new regime, again all using the 2.7 turbo diesel. Prices start at £14,995 for the 270 S and reach £19,995 for the 270 EX auto, which as well as having the most equipment is also the only one with four-wheel drive.

The Koelliker group, to get back to that, is based in Milan and looks after SsangYong interests in Austria, Hungary in Italy. At home it also handles Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi.