Ssangyong SUT1 - Dreams of the top
Considering the last few years of history, the company has been trying to create some pretty strange cars in the world lately. The style made them stand out, but it's hard to tell if that's a compliment in this case. The Koreans must have finally read this from the sales results, because the new generation of Korando, waiting to enter our market, and the prototype of the SUT1 concept presented in Geneva, are already neat, elegant enough cars. The latter is the successor to the Actyon Sports model, or rather the prototype car, which should hit the market next year.
The company does not even try to hide its ambitions - the SUT1 concept should become the best pickup truck in the world. The prototype looks interesting, but let's wait to see what the production car will show. Production is scheduled to start in the second half of this year, with sales scheduled for early 2012. Ssangyong wants to sell 35 units at launch.
The car is built on a very rigid frame to ensure its safety. Looking at the grille, bumper air intake and headlights, I get the impression that the stylists have been eyeing the Ford Kuga a bit. All in all, it's not a complaint because the Kuga is arguably the most beautiful SUV on the market today. The sideline has something to do with Actyon.
The new Ssangyong has a length of 498,5 cm, a width of 191 cm, a height of 175,5 cm, and a wheelbase of 306 cm. The proportions are generally chosen so that the four-door SUT1 will look equally good in the forest and in the city. His beauty, on the other hand, makes me a workhorse, somehow not right for me. The manufacturer is also talking about ski touring or hiking rather than the hard dirty work that this type of car was once made for. The cargo platform, located behind the five-seater cabin, has an area of 2 square meters. Access to it is possible thanks to the hatch on spring hinges.
The equipment also involves taking care of the comfort of travelers and the convenience of driving for the driver. Both front seats can be powered and heated. There is leather upholstery, including steering wheel trim. The air conditioner can be manual or automatic. The equipment also includes a sunroof, on-board computer, radio with MP3, Bluetooth and controls on the multifunction steering wheel. The driver has cruise control, power windows and mirrors, and a keyless entry system. While driving, it is assisted by ABS with emergency braking assistance, ESP stabilization system, rollover protection system and reverse sensors, and there is also a rear-view camera option. Safety is also provided by two airbags (just a little for the best pickup truck on the market) and disc brakes on all wheels.
The car's suspension is designed to combine driving comfort and stability. Double transverse levers are installed in front, and five-link in the back. A rigid frame and a properly selected method of mounting the engine are designed to dampen noise and vibrations. The car will be powered by a 155 hp two-liter turbodiesel that has a maximum torque of 360 Nm, available in the 1500-2800 rpm range. Already at a thousand revolutions, the torque reaches 190 Nm. It can accelerate a two-ton car to a maximum speed of 171 km/h. While neither acceleration nor combustion is given. The engine works with six-speed transmissions - manual or automatic. The SUT1 is available with either rear wheel drive or pluggable front wheel drive.
