2014 Ssangyong Korando Launched in UK; India on Cards

With the compact SUVs getting popular, manufacturers have started to pay more attention to this segment. The South Korean car manufacturer Ssangyong is one of them; it is selling Korando SUV since 2011, which has been well received in many markets and its sales have grown steadily. Now, Ssangyong has given it a midlife facelift and refreshed its design and updated the interiors. Ssangyong hopes for even more success with the new 2014 Korando.

There are some subtle cosmetic changes in design; the front fascia receives an all-new treatment with projector headlamps featuring daytime running LEDs, redesigned grille and sportier looking bumper.  The rear also underwent some changes and it now gets sleeker looking LED-infested taillights. The new Korando will also be available in three new exterior colours - Sunrise red, Cosmic blue and Carbonic grey.

The interior of the car has also been given a significant re-design, and now combines an attractive and comfortable ambiance for the driver and passengers alike.  There is a completely redesigned dashboard featuring soft-touch materials for a greater sense of luxury, complemented by natural matt wood grain insets, and abundant storage space that includes enlarged cup holders, a mobile phone tray and flip-down sunglasses tray.

In conjunction with the standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with emergency brake assist and four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), the four-wheel drive system provides the best possible grip and control whatever the conditions.  Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Active Roll-over Protection (ARP) have also been included for better safety of the occupants.

The new Korando is powered by a modern yet well-proven 2.0-litre Euro 5 engine.  The top of the range ELX4 automatic is matched with the powerful, smooth and efficient 175ps e-XDi200 diesel engine with a maximum power output of 172.5bhp at 4000rpm and peak torque of 360Nm at 2,000-3,000rpm.  Models featuring manual transmission get the 149bhp e-XDi200 engine which delivers the same maximum power and peak torque as the automatic, and is perfect for lively driving as well as for going off-road and towing. Korando offers two transmissions: a 6-speed manual with high fuel efficiency and smooth gear shifting, and a 6-speed automatic with optimum gear ratios for smooth, comfortable driving.

The new Korando range in the UK starts at £14,995 for the entry-level 2.0 SE 2WD variant, going all the way to £21,495 for the 2.0 ELX4 4WD automatic variant. Ssangyong is in a joint venture with Mahindra in India and there were reports that they might launch the Korando in India. If Ssangyong will launch it in India, it will cost around Rs. 8-9 lakh and will compete against Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and likes.
 

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