S. Korean Musso set to muscle in on Jeep<\/p>\n
By Russell Williamson<\/p>\n
INDONESIA is set to get yet another vehicle from the
\nautomotive powerhouse that is South Korea.<\/p>\n
However, this will not be a small generic four-door sedan
\nalong the lines of the Timor, Nexia or Cakra but a large tough
\nfour-wheel drive off-roader with a Mercedes-Benz drivetrain
\nwrapped in a SsangYong body.<\/p>\n
The SsangYong Musso will make its Indonesian debut at the
\nJakarta Auto Expo on the stand of its local importer, Indomobil.<\/p>\n
Indomobil hopes to begin deliveries of the 3200cc straight-six
\npetrol engined Musso by about November.<\/p>\n
Priced at about Rp 142 million, the Musso will compete with
\nChrysler's Jeep Cherokee, Toyota LandCruiser and the Mitsubishi
\nPajero.<\/p>\n
The vehicle shares its 165kW engine and standard four-speed
\nautomatic transmission with Mercedes-Benz' E320 and S320 luxury
\nsedans.<\/p>\n
However that is where the comparison ends.<\/p>\n
As a true off-roader, the Musso can be switched into four-
\nwheel drive at the flick of a switch from inside the cabin.<\/p>\n
Once four-wheel drive is engaged, the double wishbone and
\ntorsion bar suspension at the front and a multilink live axle at
\nthe rear ensure stability and grip is maintained in all
\nconditions.<\/p>\n
The Musso has been praised for its on-road ride, its low noise
\nlevels and it passive safety features, which include dual air
\nbags and antilock brakes.<\/p>\n
Accommodation is reported to rival that of the Mitsubishi
\nPajero and outshines the space available in the hot-selling Jeep
\nCherokee.<\/p>\n
Comfort and convenience equipment levels will also be high
\nwith leather trim, power windows and mirrors, air conditioning,
\npremium sound system and central locking all available.<\/p>\n
In other markets, the Musso is also offered with a 2900cc
\nfive-cylinder diesel engine, also of Mercedes-Benz origin.<\/p>\n
However, Indomobil is still undecided as to whether this will
\nbe offered in Indonesia as overseas reports suggest it is a
\nlittle sluggish.<\/p>\n
Mercedes Benz may be able to offer a turbo version of this
\nsame engine, however, which might make the diesel Musso a more
\nattractive option for Indomobil.<\/p>\n
SsangYong have been making four-wheel drive vehicles for more
\nthan 40 years but are also keen to branch out into passenger car
\nproduction.<\/p>\n
In South Korea, the company will begin building passenger cars
\nnext year, which may also eventually make it into the Indonesian
\ncar market.<\/p>\n
The Korean carmaker flagged its desire to enter the passenger
\ncar market outside Korea when it displayed a four-seat concept
\ncar at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show in September.<\/p>",
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