New SsangYong Kyron & Rexton C-S Light Commercial Vehicles

For those of you who preffer working incognito even if it means sacrificing the convinience of sliding rear doors, the Korean automaker has revealed two new light commercial versions of the Kyron and Rexton. The SsangYong Kyron C-S and Rexton C-S are based on the Kyron and Rexton S passenger SUV cars, and converted in the UK with the removal of the rear seats to provide a flat load area, and black tinted rear windows. Both come with standard four-wheel drive, with the Kyron C-S priced at £13,995 and the Rexton C-S at £15,995. -Continued

The Kyron C-S, which is equipped with a 2.0 litre, four cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine delivering 141 PS, has a payload of 530 kg and a cargo volume of 2,384 litres. The Rexton C-S comes with a five cylinder, turbo diesel engine pushing out 165 PS and has a volume of 2,186 litres and a payload of 740 kg.

A special guard to separate driver and passenger from any load being carried is available for £299 including VAT and fitting. Apart form the standard 5-speed manual gearbox, a Mercedes-Benz sourced T-Tronic auto transmission is offered as an option on both models.

SsangYong to Show-Off New Hybrid in Geneva

South Korean carmaker SsangYong announced today that it will display a new diesel hybrid chassis and drive train at the Geneva Motor Show next month. According to the company, the hybrid powertrain is expected to deliver a 30 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions. More details will be released at the show opening on March 4.

Chinese Roewe models coming to Europe in 2008 via SsangYong distributors

According to a report from Automotive News Europe, Roewe will enter the European market quite sooner than expected thanks to the help of SsangYong, which like Roewe, is a subsidiary of SAIC. Starting in 2008, Roewe will introduce its first model in Europe, the production version of the W2 concept (pic) that premiered at the Shanghai Show. Although the Chinese carmaker intends to launch Roewe as a separate brand in 2010 through an extended SAIC network, ANE reports that the W2 will be distributed through the dealer network of its Korean subsidiary and sold under the SsangYong badge.-Continued: Click "Read More..." below

Not exactly the turnout most industry observers were expecting when SAIC bought the design rights for the Rover 75 & 25 from MG Rover before the latter collapsed in 2005. Albeit SAIC’s "SsangYong dribble" seems like a smart move now, helping them fastforward their European penetration, I believe it would have been wiser to wait a couple of years until they created a SAIC network.

Via: Automotive News Europe