Mahindra to launch SsangYong Rexton in Inida on 17th October

     Mahindra will launch SsangYong Rexton SUV in Inida on 17th of October which coincides with the Tata Safari Storme launch. The Rexton is the first vehicle from Ssangyong in India, and to remind our readers, Mahindra bought majority stakes in Ssangyong Motors of South Korea in March 2011, which means Mahinda owns the brand Ssangyong. The Rexton will be launched in Mumbai on 17th October followed by launches in New Delhi and Bangalore.

     The Rexton coming to India is the 3rd generation model, internationally known as Rexton W which was showed at 2012 Busan Motor Show. Built on the first generation Mercedes M Class platform (W163), Rexton uses tubular frame chassis and will compete with Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero, Ford Endeavour and Hyundai Santa Fe in India.

     The 3rd generation Rexton looks prettier than the current model. The changes in the front and rear give a descent look to the vehicle. The power train will be 2.0L CRDi engine which replaces the current 2.7L diesel sourced from Mercedes. The 1998 cc in-line 4 cylinder diesel engine produces 154 Bhp of power and is equipped with intelligent torque vectoring system. The Rexton will be 6th SUV from Mahindra. Expect it to be priced around Rs. 20 lakh. 

     The Rexton in India will come with 5 speed automatic transmission with a 5 speed manual transmission also available. The Rexton will be equipped with safety features such as electronic stability program (ESP) with with emergency brake assist, hill descent control (HDC) and active rollover protection (ARP).

     Speaking on the announcement of Rexton launch in India, Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. & Chairman, SsangYong Motor said that Mahindra with the launch of XUV500 entered into premium SUV segment and the company would like to enter high end SUV segment with the launch of Rexton. 

     

Ssangyong to debut XUV 1 concept at Frankfurt Motor Show

     Mahindra & Mahindra owned Ssangyong Motors has teased its XUV 1 concept before its debut at 64th International Motor Show being held at Frankfurt next month.


     The XUV1 concept reflects the new design philosophy of Ssangyong Motors. From the teaser pictures the concept looks very futuristic. The XUV1 concept will have a flexi seating options.

Official press release


SSANGYONG TO REVEAL THE CONCEPT XUV 1 IN FRANKFURT AA International Motor Show 2011


- Compact SUV concept illustrates SsangYong’s latest design and engineering


- Full details of Concept XUV 1 will be released at the IAA next month


- Available to view on stand D10 in Hall 8.0


When the doors open to the 64th IAA International Motor Show on the 13th September, SsangYong will be ready to reveal one of the stars of the event – an innovative new compact crossover concept.


The Concept XUV 1 has at its core the ideals of a moving communication space. SsangYong’s designers set themselves the goal of creating a new automobile culture based on performance, safety and an awareness of the environment.


A showcase for the latest SsangYong design capabilities, the Concept XUV 1 uses extensive glass areas along with carefully curved bodywork to look imposing without seeming to appear ‘aggressive’. The wraparound windscreen visually extends the glass area virtually uninterrupted to the large C-pillars, perfectly complemented by a full length glass roof.


Described by its creators as a premium CUV – Crossover Utility Vehicle – the Concept XUV 1 perfectly illustrates the robust image of SsangYong vehicles coupled with an appearance highlighting speed and power. The innovative interior design introduces new 1+1+2 or 1+3 seating layouts, challenging conventional cabin design and highlighting the flexibility available from SsangYong’s latest platform technology.


The spacious interior is also packed with the latest automotive technology, leading to the show car’s name: Concept XUV 1 is derived from Excellent User Interface Vehicle 1. All major cabin functions are controlled via mobile devices and smart instruments, while the coach style door offers easy access to the futuristic cabin.


All this versatility comes within the confines of a compact B segment sized vehicle, a sector which has experienced rapid growth in crossover models in recent years. Offering the high seating position and rugged feel of a full sized SUV without any compromise in running costs, crossover models on a supermini scale are fast becoming the ideal motoring solution for today’s driver.

Mahindra not to bring Ssangyong cars in India, to focus on SUVs

     India’s largest utility vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra has said it will not bring Ssangyong car to India as it wants to focus on SUV segment and want to become a global utility vehicle manufacturer. To remind, Mahindra bought majority stake in Korean’s automaker Ssangyong recently.


     Mr. Rajesh Jejurikar, who heads Mahindra’s automotive business operations said, they feel appropriate to have a single car in the portfolio of SUVs. The focus of the company is on global SUV.


     Mahindra has a lone car model in its portfolio in the form of Verito. The company is planning to launch a hatchback version of Vertio by early next year.
Saying no to the Ssangyong cars, Mahindra will bring in Ssangyong SUVs to India. Ssangyong SUVs include Korando and Rexton which are seen decent success in US markets.


     We feel the Mahindra’s strategy of preferring a single car in its portfolio of SUVs may have fueled the rift between its JV partner Renault. Renault wants to bring in its series of cars to India which Mahindra was not intending to as it wanted to focus more on the SUVs. All is well that ends well. Now we can get to see Renault’s range of cars as well as Mahindra’s SUVs together in Indian market.


     Ssangyong Motors which as 'Chaiman H' as its flagship car could wait for some more time to make it to India. 

Ssangyong KEV2 SUV concept to debut at Seoul Motor Show

     The Ssangyong KEV2 SUV concept will be the first vehicle ever since Mahindra tookover majority of the stake in Ssangyong Motors. The KEV2 SUV concept will debut at the Seoul Motors Show which starts on 1st of April.


     The KEV2 SUV concept is a electric crossover based on the Korando C. The design has been futuristic unlike the old Ssangyongs which looked like derivatives of Mercedes Benz SUVs.

     The KEV2 concept seats four persons with lots of LCD touch screens and an advance interface which makes you feel like being in a space craft. The passenger cabin is spacious with lots of leg room and the comfortable seats takes you longer distance without being tired. Around the passenger there are lots of controls, knobs and buttons
making it surely a space age vehicle.


     It is not clear when the KEV2 SUV concept will be officially launched, but we can expect something similar to it in the near future. Is Mahindra thinking to bring it to India? Well we think they do, after all Mahindra is an Indian company!

Source: IAB

Ssangyong Rexton spied testing in India

     The Automotive India forum member Shona 210 could snap a picture of Ssangyong Rexton being tested in Delhi with the badges covered with tapes. This means we can expect the Rexton SUV to be launched in India very soon. The Rexton is based on the earlier generation Mercedes M Class. The powertrain for Rexton has also been licensed from Mercedes Benz. Will Mahindra get an access to the Benz engines for India? We will have to wait and see.

     The Rexton is powered by Mercedes sourced 2.7 liter diesel engine that procures power of 165 Ps on manual transmission and 186 Ps on automatic one. The Mercedes Benz T-Tronic transmission help boost power by over 20 Bhp. The torque stands at 340 Nm on the manual and 402 Nam on the Automatic model. Safety features such as Airbags, ABS and ESP could be expected for India

Source: IAB

Mahindra finishes SsangYong deal

     Mahindra & Mahindra has complete the process of acquisition a majority stake in the SsangYong Motor Company of Japan. Mahindra had bidded for the troubled Korean carmaker in August last year. Mahindra is planning to launch SsangYong Motors vehicles later this year.

     Speaking on the occasion, Pawan Goenka, President of Mahindra & Mahindra said,” “This is a landmark day for all of us at Mahindra as it marks the beginning of what I am sure will be an enduring partnership with SsangYong Motor Company. He further added, “I would like to thank all the employees of SsangYong as well as the company’s creditors for the help and cooperation extended to us during this long process.”

     Mr. Goenka also stressed that SsangYong Motors will function as an independently run Korean company with largely Koreans on the management board.’ Made in Korea’ tag for SsangYong vehicle will stay. Mr. Yoo-il Lee has been appointed as CEO of SsangYong Motors and Dilip Sundaram as the CFO.

SsangYong Rexton Price in India

Prices of SsangYong Rexton in India. All prices ex-showroom India as of 18-10-2012. Prices may change.

SsangYong Rexton Price in New Delhi
SsangYong Rexton RX5 Price in New Delhi	:	Rs. 17,75,000/-
SsangYong Rexton RX7 Price in New Delhi	:	Rs. 19.75,000/-

SsangYong Rexton Price in Mumbai
SsangYong Rexton RX5 Price in Mumbai	:	Rs. 17,67,557/-
SsangYong Rexton RX7 Price in Mumbai	:	Rs. 19,67,556/-

SsangYong Rexton Specifications

SsangYong Rexton Specifications

	Price	:	Rs. 17,75,000/- to Rs. 19.75,000/- ex-showroom, New Delhi as of 18-10-2012.
	Variants	:	RX5, RX7
	Manufacturer	:	Mahindra
	Body Type	:	Premium SUV

Technical Specifications

	RX5	RX7
Dimensions
Length	4755 mm
Width	1900 mm
Height	1840 mm (with roof rack)
Wheel Base	2835 mm
Ground Clearance	250 mm
Front Thread	1570 mm
Rear Thread	1570 mm
Kerb Weight	2000 Kg	1986 Kg
Gross Weight	2760 Kg
No. of Doors	5 Door SUV
Capacities
Seating Capacity	5 Persons
Fuel Tank Capacity	78 Liters
Boot Capacity	NA
Engine
Type	RX270 XDi	RX270 XVT
Displacement	2696 cc
Power	162 Bhp  @ 4000 rpm	184 Bhp @ 4000 rpm
Torque	340 Nm @ 1800-3250 rpm	402 Nm @ 1600-3000 rpm
Bore x Stroke	86.2x85.6 mm
Compression Ratio	16.5:1
No of Cylinders	5
Cylinder Config.	Inline, Longitudinal
Valves per Cylinder	NA
Transmission
Type	5 Speed Manual	5 Speed E-tronic AT
Gears	5 Forward, 1 Reverse	5 Forward, 1 Reverse
Drive Train	Torque on Demand	All Wheel Drive
Steering
Type	Power Steering
Min Turning Radius	5.7 Meters
Suspension
Front	Independent Double Wishbone
Rear	Independent 5 Link with Anti-roll Bar
Brakes
Front	Ventilated Disc
Rear	Disc
Performance
Max. Speed	180 Kmph	194 Kmph
0-100 Kmph	NA
Wheels and Tyres
Wheel Size & Type	16 Inch Alloy
Tyres Size & Type	P 235/75 R16 Tubeless
Fuel Economy (ARAI)
Overall	12.4 Kmpl	11.18 Kmpl

NA – Not Available

SsangYong Rexton available colours:

Satin White

Moon Dust Silver

Volcano Black

Opulent Purple