Ssangyong Lifts Lid On New Rexton

Ladder chassis, low box, live rear axle • Priced from £27,500.

Ssangyong has revealed full details of the new Rexton ahead of the vehicle’s arrival in the UK this October. Promising ‘major advances in style, quality, safety and technology,’ this follows in the footsteps of earlier Rexton models by retaining the body-on-frame structure of a traditional off-roader.

Powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine with 178bhp at 4000rpm, the Rexton is available with a choice of six-speed manual and seven speed automatic gearboxes. With the former, the engine is tuned for 295lbf.ft at 1400rpm, while in auto form it delivers 310lbf.ft from 1600rpm. In each case, transmission is via a part-time four-wheel drive transfer case with high and low range gears, and Ssangyong forecasts a towing limit of 3500kg.

Unusually, the manual and auto models are also separate in that they have different rear suspension set-ups. Vehicles with the manual box have a five-link system using a coil-sprung live rear axle, while autos will have a ten-link independent arrangement. This will inevitably make the manual the default choice for anyone planning to make the most of the vehicle’s built-in off-road ability, though this does mean only being able to choose from the lower two models in a three-strong line-up.