SsangYong Motor Company, a South Korean company which is now
part of India’s US$15.4 billion Mahindra Group, will expand its South African
product range in the premium mid-size SUV market with the launch of the new
Rexton W.
This is the latest version of the Rexton. The first Rexton
was designed by Giorietto Giugiaro’s ItalDesign studio in Italy and was
launched in 2001, while the second generation Rexton II, appeared in 2006.
The third generation Rexton W, which was launched in April
2012 in South Korea, took two and a half years to design and develop at a cost
of more than R1-billion. It offers not only mechanical refinement, but also a
high level of standard equipment to make it a true premium mid-size 4x4 SUV.
The “W” nomenclature stands for “World Class” and “Work of Art.”
“We are making good headway in re-establishing the SsangYong
brand in South Africa with a network of 22 dealers, all of whom are already
established Mahindra dealers, so we are confident about the after-sales back-up
we offer our SsangYong customers,” said the CEO of Mahindra SA, Ashok Thakur.
“The addition of the Rexton W to the existing SsangYong
line-up in South Africa, being the Korando C-segment SUV and the
recreation-focussed Actyon Sport double cab pickup, not only broadens our
potential customer base, but also contributes to dealer viability and overall
brand awareness.”
The price of the two-model mid-size Rexton W range starts at
R349 995 for a Standard five seat model. The Deluxe seven-seater model is
priced at R389 995.
Both models are powered by a 2.7-litre turbo diesel engine
which develops 121kW of power at 4 000rpm and 340Nm of torque at
1 800rpm – capable of towing loads as heavy as 2 700 kgs.
The Rexton W is suitable for both surfaced roads, as well as
off-road conditions, with two-wheel drive to the rear wheels or four-wheel
drive with high and low gear ratios. Power is delivered to all four wheels only
when the driver requires it. When additional traction is required, the driver
can switch to 4WD high or low gear mode while the Rexton W is in motion.
The standard five seater model comes with a five-speed
manual gearbox, while the seven seater deluxe model has a 5-speed automatic
transmission sourced from Mercedes Benz.
Numerous changes, upgrades and improvements have been made
to both the exterior and interior of the Rexton W with its recent facelift.
These include new front and rear bumpers, a new grille, turn
signal indicators incorporated in the exterior rear view mirrors,
projection-style headlamps, the introduction of a standard sidestep, new front
fog lamps and turn indicators, an LED rear light assembly and 18” “diamond
cutter” style alloy wheels.
In terms of changes to the interior, a new multi-purpose
steering wheel allows you to keep your eyes on the road, while controlling the
audio system with 2 DIN radio/CD/MP3 player with six speakers or staying in
touch with Bluetooth compatibility for hands free mobile phone operation.
This is in addition to a comprehensive list of standard
equipment that includes a flip-up rear glass in the tailgate to allow access to
the rear compartment without opening the tailgate, automatic on/off facility
for the lights, climate control air conditioning, rear park assist, roof rails
and audio controls on the steering wheel.
The Deluxe model with automatic transmission gets leather
seat trim and cruise control in addition to the two extra seats.
A multitude of safety features provide maximum protection to
all occupants. They include a front crossbar bolted onto the frame, reinforced
front and rear bumpers, high tensile-strength steel chassis frame, collapsible
steering column, seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters, anti-skid brakes
(ABS), airbags and speed sensing door locks.
The Rexton W is offered in a choice of four exterior
colours: Grande White, Silent Silver, Tonic Grey and Sable Grey.
This upmarket mid-size SUV is covered by a 3-year/100 000km
warranty, and roadside assistance. Service intervals are 15 000 km and there is
a service plan for 5-years/90 000km.
“We are very pleased to welcome the Rexton W to the range of
SsangYong products offered in South Africa as it introduces a prestige mid-size
4x4 model to the range and extends our appeal,” concluded Mahindra SA CEO,
Ashok Thakur.
STORY BY SSANGYONG
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