Looks a little funny, no?
Ssangyong might be no longer be on sale on our shores, but the company is continuing its aspirational push into the market with what appears to be a teaser of an all-new model.
Well we say “all new,” but it’s actually a Rexton SUV with part of its hind-quarters lobbed off. The Rexton Sports, as it’s dubbed, will be making its debut at the Geneva motor show in March, though that hasn’t stopped Ssangyong from telling us about it now.
The front end and the sides (up to the C-pillars at least) are familiar territory, sporting the same handsome visage as the Rexton SUV on which it’s based. Go further back and that’s where things start to get unfamiliar, with a ute bed fixed onto the back, hanging over the rear wheels. If it looks odd do you, it’s because the proportions are off: Just like the old Actyon Sports ute, the new Rexton Sports has a shorter-than-usual bed, resulting in those awkward looks.
Under the bonnet, expect to find a familiar 2.2-litre turbodiesel mill producing 137kW and 420Nm. Transmission duties will be handled by either a six-speed manual or an Asian six-speed automatic (as opposed by the seven-speeder in the SUV0, with drive going either to the rear wheels or to all-four via a 4Tronic system. The Rexton Sports, like the Rexton SUV, sports a body-on-frame construction.
Four trim levels will be offered, with prices starting at a smidge under $29,000 and topping out at a whisker under $37,000. Alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and cruise control will be standard across the range, but projector headlamps, 20-inch alloys, LED positioning lights and indicators, dual-zone climate control, speed-sensitive power steering, curtain airbags, 360º surround-view monitor, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert will be available either as options, or standard equipment on higher models.
Stay tuned to CarShowroom for more updates as they come.
