The First We Heard of Ssangyong
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TEST: SSANGYONG KORANDO EX 4X4 AUTO he first we heard of SsangYong The fascia’s clean lines extend through (it means ‘double dragons’ the centre console, which provides useful by the way) in the UK was storage areas, a pair of cup holders, front in the mid-90s when the seat-heater switches and the unobtrusive Mercedes-Benz-powered but useful lidded centre-armrest cubby. TMusso appeared. Despite it being designed While the cabin’s trim is of decent by Ken Greenley, a Brit with the Aston quality and the fit and finish are generally Martin Virage and Bentley Azure on his CV, good, some hard plastic mouldings seem a the journalists assembled in that Sussex bit lightweight and their satin finish looks field for their first SsangYong encounter did just a tad too shiny. ‘Metallicised’ trims express a few misgivings. and embellishers are silver-painted or To be fair, we probably missed the chromed plastic and items like the Neat and simple fascia point, not fully appreciating the Korean glovebox lid and plastic door handles culture and the way in which cars were remind you that the car is built to perceived and used in that country. be keenly priced. The headlining But SsangYong has a much longer resonated occasionally and there history, reaching beyond the 1963 merger was a rattle from the boot area, of the Ha Dong-hwan Motor Workshop initially thought to be the and Dongbang Motor Co to form moulded boot liner’s fault, but The revived Korean car maker launches its Ha Dong-hwan Motor Co. A name the irritant remained with the new SUV with a promise of much towing change to Dong-A Motor preceded its liner removed. take over in 1986 by SsangYong. It has The EX’s leather seats felt a ability. Clive White looks for any hitches since had partnerships with German little hard, but their well-shaped giant Mercedes-Benz, fallen under the cushions and side bolsters offer control of Daewoo followed by China’s good support and proved SAIC company and experienced comfortable for longish driving receivership in 2009. Yet, the company stints. The driver’s powered arose again in early 2011 thanks to India’s seat enabled fine adjustments, Mahindra and Mahindra. which, together with the Enter the double dragon badge (perhaps tilt-and-reach steering, gave a it should change to a brace of phoenix?) on good driving position. There Adequate, if not over-generous, luggage space the new Korando, SsangYong’s first was plenty of scope to cater for monocoque construction 4x4, this time drivers of all sizes. styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who has Although the Korando gives the designed a few notable cars in his time impression of being a relatively-compact (including the original VW Golf, a raft of SUV, rear legroom was surprisingly TECHNICAL Fiats and models from such supercar generous despite the front seats being set RATINGS giants as Ferrari, Lotus and Maserati). for tall occupants. The centre section of CABIN COMFORT DRIVING DYNAMICS the rear bench felt yet more unyielding, CABIN COMFORT PULLING PERFORMANCE but there’s reasonable space to VERDICT Korando’s fascia is neat, modern and accommodate three people. That the ES 01 2345678910 simple, with hardly an ambiguous switch and EX back seats are also heated gives an in sight, and the controls arranged in indication of the car’s good specification RRP £22,995 OTR entirely logical locations. One possible for the money. Engine 1,998cc, in-line 4-cyl, common-rail small exception might be that anyone used turbodiesel. Transverse to European cars may take a moment to DRIVING DYNAMICS Power 175bhp (130kW) @ 4,000rpm realise the main lighting switch is on the The 2.0-litre turbodiesel and six-speed Torque 266lb/ft (360Nm) @2,000-4,000rpm left column stalk and not at the end of the T-Tronic automatic transmission endow CO2 199g/km dash. But drivers of Eastern machinery Korando with quite lively solo Transmission Six-speed T-Tronic automatic. will go straight to the stalk. performance, though it’s hardly the On-demand AWD The two analogue primary dials are quietest engine around. It was quite rattly Fuel/tank/econ Diesel/12.5gal (57 litres)/34.8mpg clear and easily read, and between them when cold and an awareness of mechanical solo/22.2mpg towing 1,480kg resides an LCD panel displaying coolant activity was ever present, in varying Kerbweight 1,747kg (85% = 1,485kg) temperature and fuel bar graphs, trip degrees. In its defence, the test car arrived Gross vehicle weight 2,260kg information etc. with only 1,200 miles, or so, on the clock, Gross train weight 4,150kg What I found rather less intuitive was so it’s not unreasonable to predict better Noseweight limit 80kg the £999-option Kenwood sat-nav/radio, performance and economy with improved Towing equipment Witter detachable ball/13-pin electrics kit £602 inc VAT, plus fitting an essentially nice piece of kit, but with refinement as it loosens up. Spare wheel Inflation kit With thanks to some touch-screen graphics that were not T-Tronic six-speed auto is a good Insurance 19 Chichester Caravans, Redhill for obvious (to me, at least) without written companion for the engine, giving a the loan of Towcar Test caravans. instructions. For instance, how to search smooth set of gear changes at mostly Korando £16,995 (S FWD) to £22,995 Call 01737 768266 or see for a radio station? But when the function the appropriate times. While quite Model-range (EX Auto AWD) chichester-caravans.co.uk. was eventually discovered by accident, satisfactory left to its own devices, manual Club insurance: 0800 028 4809 • Info: ssangyonggb.co.uk Classic FM never sounded so good… override is possible via a combination of 74 www.caravanclub.co.uk April 2012 The Caravan Club Magazine 75 TEST: SSANGYONG KORANDO EX 4X4 AUTO PULLING PERFORMANCE SsangYong states the Korando’s braked towing capacity as 2,000kg. While there’s no doubt that this SUV would be capable of hauling such a load (perhaps a two-horse trailer at low speeds), prospective owners should be mindful of the Club’s 85% of towcar kerbweight recommendation, which means we’d suggest it could tow a caravan weighing up to 1,485kg. Nevertheless, in order to put Korando fully through its paces, a perhaps larger- than-typical twin-axle caravan was put behind it, though ballasted to provide the 85% weight ratio. That the SsangYong coped competently FOR A with its sizeable partner, … Korando has a light, agile CHANCE TO WIN sometimes in gusty A SSANGYONG conditions, is testament to KORANDO its dynamic abilities. quality to its handling… EX 4X4, TURN Korando’s approved “ TO P14 OF THIS towing gear is supplied by an unconventional little flick-switch uninvolving for some tastes. ISSUE Witter in the form of a mounted on the driver’s side of the gear It was” otherwise accurate and conventional detachable ball. knob with ‘D+’ and ‘D-’ buttons on the responsive. This was accompanied by a hinge- wheel. Like most autos, its ‘manual’ is not I found the suspension rather too hard, down 13-pin socket and, using Milenco completely manual in the sense that it will providing a jiggly and unforgiving ride on clamp-on towing mirrors, setting up was still kickdown, though this one seemed a coarse and rutted surfaces, giving the quick and easy. little inconsistent and sometimes hesitant impression of damping that’s too stiff in Front-wheel drive is the normal mode in doing so. Perhaps another symptom of compression. Yet, while I may have of operation, with power automatically the test car’s newness? preferred a more compliant ride, the distributed as dictated by surface Electric steering assistance, though control imparted by the robust springing conditions, so a touch of initial tyre now common, doesn’t always meet restricted bodyroll to give Korando a light, scrabble might be expected when pulling everyone’s preferences. Korando’s was agile quality to its handling. away briskly or on hills. The reality was Stylish lines give the Korando a pleasing generally good, though possibly a bit light a little more leisurely, probably governed look from any angle on turn-in, making it feel a little by a management system or two, giving a 0-60mph time of 17.5 seconds, though 0-50 took 11.9sec and 30-50mph was covered in ‘D’ in just 7.5sec. Predictably, engine noise was a prominent feature, as was the jittery ride, exacerbated by the double pivot points of the caravan’s two axles. While the former may improve with usage, the latter will remain, though probably to a lesser extent when pulling a single-axle trailer. However, in other respects the Korando felt in complete control on twisty roads and there was no more than a slight aerodynamic nudge in the presence of large vehicles on motorways. ■ VERDICT The revived SsangYong’s latest addition to the current crop of compact SUV’s is one to seriously consider if value and a comprehensive equipment list are important to you. And with a five-year, limitless mileage warranty, too. Ding-dong! 76 www.caravanclub.co.uk.