Tonne-Up Korando Sports Pick-Up from Ssangyong is just the business.

• Payload increased to 1 tonne
• Prices from £14,995 (ex VAT)
• 2.7 tonnes towing capacity
• Euro pallet sized load deck
• Multi-link rear suspension for a smooth, car-like ride
• The only pick-up with a 5 year warranty without mileage restriction
• Benefit in Kind (BIK) of £3,090

With an increased payload of 1,050kg, the Korando Sports one tonne pick-up is now the most practical, comprehensively equipped and affordable pick-up in the market.

The new Korando Sports has been fitted with uprated and progressive rear coil springs within the existing multi-link rear suspension set up - the only pick-up in the market to offer this system - which means that it continues to offer its famed relaxed and comfortable car-like ride, while also carrying over a tonne weight on its load deck.

Critically for business users this also means that the car can be purchased exempt of VAT.

“This is great news for the one-man-band business, SME and fleet operator,” says Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK. 

“The keenly priced and comprehensively equipped Korando Sports not only gives you a lot of vehicle for the money - from £14,995 (ex VAT), but also the reassurance of a 5 year limitless mileage warranty. SsangYong is the only manufacturer to have that much confidence in its LCVs, and gives customers complete peace of mind.

“Now with a full 1-tonne payload, this really is the best value pick-up you can buy!”

The Korando Sports brings a new level of refinement to the pick-up market, blending the suspension, engine and cabin finesse of a passenger car, with the silhouette, space and seating for five that’s typical of a double cab, and the rugged workmanlike ability of a commercial pick-up.

This new car will appeal to those who need a work vehicle, the practicality of 4 wheel drive, the towing capability to haul up to 2.7 tonnes yet also the appointments of a family car.  Whether towing a work trailer or horsebox, ferrying the crew to site or the children to school, Korando Sports will meet a range of different demands.

Two models - SX & EX

There are two models to choose from. The SX is extremely well appointed and comes equipped with 16” alloy wheels, tinted glass, air conditioning, leather covered steering wheel, remote central locking, Kenwood MP3 CD & RDS radio with a USB & auxiliary port and Bluetooth connectivity as well as speed sensitive power assisted steering.

The EX has 18” alloy wheels, and features the luxury touch of leather upholstery with heated front seats, powered driver’s seat, heated, electrically adjustable and power folding door mirrors and rear parking sensors.  6 speed automatic transmission with cruise control is also available as an option.

Power

Delivering both performance and economy - up to 37.7 mpg on the Combined Cycle, Korando Sports is powered by SsangYong’s latest e-XDi diesel engine.  This 2 litre Euro 5 engine provides maximum power of 155PS and peak torque of 360Nm delivered between 1,500rpm and 2,800rpm providing ample performance both on and off road, whatever the task.

Multi-link rear suspension

Unlike other pick-ups where the word ‘truck’ belies their more dated mechanical origins by utilising leaf springs, the SsangYong Korando Sports features a live rear axle supported by sophisticated five link suspension with progressive coil springs to give a comfortable, car like ride, while still being able to carry a full 1 tonne payload.

Practicality

As with every SsangYong, practicality is at the core of the new pick-up’s appeal.  A large, flat rear deck provides a 2.04m² load area to take a Euro pallet, and comes complete with load deck liner and anchor points.  The optional rigid hard tops provide weather protection and security to the load area.  Styled and colour matched to complement the rest of the vehicle, the result is a neat design that ensures form and function, and not the ‘tacked on’ afterthought of many retro-fit hard tops.

Comfort

Inside the spacious cabin there’s a light and airy environment thanks to the large front, side and rear windows, while the careful blending of black and metallic finishes along with an LED illuminated instrument cluster has created a smart and refined interior.

With spacious accommodation for five adults - the rear passenger seat features a folding armrest and can be reclined by up to 29 degrees, and there’s also air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity to ensure comfort and convenience on the move.

Safe, secure, sure footed

Constructed on a separate frame chassis, the new Korando Sports offers a very rigid structure to help protect occupants in the event of a collision.  Accident avoidance and a sure footed performance off road are also enhanced by the electronic stability programme (ESP) - a rare feature on most pick-ups but standard on Korando Sports, active roll-over protection (ARP) and hill start assist (HSA).

Korando Sports pricing

The Korando Sports SX costs £14,995 (ex VAT), the EX with manual transmission is £16,995 (ex VAT), and the EX with automatic transmission, £18,495 (ex VAT).

The choice of two hard tops and a roll cover

The three designs are:

The ‘Top-Up cover’ (£1,655 inc VAT) - a flat glass-fibre cover that is hinged to offer flexible opening options.

‘Elegance’ (£1,995 inc VAT) a full hard top featuring a rear brake light, LED interior light and lining, side opening glass - especially useful for ventilation when carrying dogs and other animals, a heated rear window, sliding front glass, light, roof bars and a hatch that locks as part of the car’s central locking without having to lower the tailgate.

There is also a Sports roll cover (£399 inc VAT).

Korando Sports pick-up specification

For full details of the Korando Sports equipment list click here:

http://www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/KorandoSports-Equipment

and for technical specifications click here:

http://www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/KorandoSports-Technical

5 year limitless mileage warranty

As with all models in the SsangYong range, the new Korando Sports 1 tonne Pick-up is covered by a 5 year limitless mileage warranty.

Designed to be totally transparent and give customers complete peace of mind, ‘limitless’ means just that: not a maximum mileage condition that some brands impose in their small print.

All the major mechanical components are covered including wheel bearings, suspension joints and bushes, steering joints, shock absorbers and even the audio system.  Wearable components such as clutch discs and brake friction materials which could have their life reduced by poor driving are covered for one year or 12,000 miles, and the battery and paintwork for three years.

SsangYong

SsangYong cars are manufactured in South Korea by SsangYong Motor, which is 73 per cent owned by the Indian engineering conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra, and imported into the UK by SsangYong Motor UK.  Established in 1954 it is Korea's oldest vehicle manufacturer and only 4x4 and SUV specialist producer.

There are currently some 60 SsangYong dealers covering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with new locations being added to the network all the time.

LCV range

• Korando CS & CSX - 2 & 4 wheel drive, from £12,995 ex VAT
• Korando Sports pick up - 4 wheel drive, from £14,995 ex VAT
• Rexton W CSX -4 wheel drive, from £18,495 ex VAT

Ssangyong enters the new year with some tempting new retail offers, I still wouldnt have one though.

• New Limited edition Korando LE
• Free automatic upgrade on Korando ELX4 saving £1,500
• PCP scheme with guaranteed values plus free servicing on Korando
• Free servicing offer on Rexton W

A new limited edition Korando model is launched this month bringing a range of special and distinctive features to this already comprehensively equipped and great value SUV.Korando LE

Finished in Grand White, this exclusive limited edition includes 18” diamond cut alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, a rear spoiler and rear parking sensors, and inside, heated front seats, climate control and an automatic dipping rear view mirror.  It comes with a retail price of just £16,495.

Korando ELX4 - free automatic offer

The four-wheel drive Korando ELX4 crossover is also offered with a free 6-speed automatic transmission upgrade.  Priced from £19,995 this represents a saving of £1,500.

Korando PCP - now with free servicing

SsangYong places great emphasis on the availability of PCPs (Personal Contract Purchase) and guarantees strong residual values for customers after three years. 

In addition to the scheme detailed below, 3 years free servicing is also now being offered on any Korando model purchased before 31^st March.

The programme, which is being administered by SsangYong’s finance provider GMAC, offers purchasers realistic deposits and highly competitive monthly payments.  PCPs are also available on the Rexton W 4x4 and seven-seat Turismo MPV.

Announcing the Korando offer, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK, Paul Williams said: “We already have a considerable price advantage over the competition with every car in our range, and now with PCPs, guaranteed final values and free servicing, we can offer customers supreme value.”

Example PCP rates for Korando, based on 36 months/10,000 miles per year

	Korando SE	Korando SE4	Korando ELX4	Korando ELX4 Auto
OTR	14,995.00	16,495.00	19,995.00	21,495.00
DEPOSIT	3,574.67	4,133.14	4,972.55	5,541.09
DEPOSIT %	24%	25%	25%	26%
PAYMENT	£189	£209	£269	£279
GFRV	6,625.00	7,000.00	7,925.00	8,675.00
GFRV%	44%	42%	40%	40%
APR	6.90%	6.90%	6.90%	6.90%

The guaranteed final values (GFV) are underwritten by SsangYong Motor UK with GMAC, and the PCP programme is available through participating dealers.  

Rexton W - free servicing offer

Every Rexton W including the new CSX Commercial sold up until the end of March will also come with a 3-year free servicing offer for even great value and customer reassurance.  Prices start from just £18,495 ex VAT for the Rexton CSX Commercial, and £21,995 for the five seat Rexton SX.

5 year limitless mileage warranty

All models in the SsangYong range are covered by a best-in-class 5 year limitless mileage warranty.  Designed to be totally transparent and give customers complete peace of mind, ‘limitless’ means just that: not a maximum mileage condition that some brands impose in their small print.  

All the major mechanical components are covered including wheel bearings, suspension joints and bushes, steering joints, shock absorbers and even the audio system.  Wearable components such as clutch discs and brake friction materials which could have their life reduced by poor driving are covered for one year or 12,000 miles, and the battery and paintwork for three years.

CHINA - SAIC launches new MG GTS SUV, UK sales need to be sooner than 2016 though.

China’s MG has released the first official images of the new MG GTS SUV, formerly known as the MG CS SUV. The orange car on the official images stands on super large tires nicely filling the wheel arches. The real thing however won’t look so good. The MG GTS will be launched on the Chinese car market in the first half of 2015. Price will start around 120.000 yuan and end around 160.000 yuan.

The MG GTS SUV is based on the third generation (2010) SsangYong Korando. The Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), owner of the MG brand, owned a controlling stake in SsangYong Motor from late 2004 until 2009. Interestingly, new reports have surfaced saying the rear suspension of the MG GTS is based on the suspension of the Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, which is manufactured in Shanghai at the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture.  MG calls the platform ‘SSA’.

Exhaust pipes are tiny but otherwise a fine ass. Very usable roof rails and a subtle roof wing.

At launch, the MG GTS will be available with only one engine: a turbocharged 2.0 liter four-cylinder petrol with 220hp and 350nm, mated to a six-speed DCT. Later on a 1.5 turbo four with 167hp and 250nm will joint the line-up, mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

Black roof on orange body very smooth, with chromed roof rails at the border.