New Korean Sport-ute Launched

With four major manufacturers, it’s apparent Korea is intent on taking a significant bite out of the global auto industry pie. Hyundai, Kia, Daewoo and Ssangyong have made their presence felt in virtually every important car market, most notably in the US and UK, and have been slugging it out with more established marques that includes the formidable ones from Japan. Here in our third world neck of the woods, the case is also the same — except that of the four, Ssangyong doesn’t exactly qualify as a popular, let alone, known, brand. A fact the Korean carmaker — through its local partner Wheels Inc. — hopes to change by introducing the Rexton sport-ute to the market late last week.

Actually, Ssangyong has been selling vehicles in the local market for quite some time now, and in significant numbers too. Trouble is, these vehicles (full-size vans, to be precise) that were quite popular some years back weren’t badged as Ssangyong, but as Mercedes-Benzes, no less — the MB 100, to be precise. Also, the carmaker sells the stylishly quirky Musso, but not in any considerable quantity. With the introduction of the Rexton, the Ssangyong brand may finally become more recognizable among local car buyers.

Like its MB 100 and Musso siblings, the Rexton boasts of distinguished Mercedes-Benz DNA under its sheetmetal — reportedly from the ML. Wheels Inc., however, does not make any references to Ssangyong’s Mercedes-Benz ties, merely stating, for instance, that the Rexton’s engine is German-engineered.

Quite like the Musso also, (which received its fair share of favorable reviews from the British motoring media, for one), the Rexton appears it isn’t afraid to be adventurous in styling matters. Where the ML was conservative, the Rexton, thanks to famed Italdesign styling firm, is bold.

The Rexton’s front end received quite a makeover. Large, angular but swooping headlamps coupled with an equally huge, gaping grille characterized by its trademark horizontal slats create an imposing façade. The bumpers further add heft, as well as a touch of go-anywhere, take-anything ruggedness. From the side, the Rexton has a very different greenhouse than the ML and carries a certain AUV-like stance, but its 16-inch wheels wrapped in slightly aggressive 255/65 rubbers save it from any plebian ignominy. The rear end’s massive C-pillar is made less clumsy by the broad wraparound windows that smacks of "Mercedes-ness," recalling to mind the A-Class’ butt but rendered in larger J-Lo proportions. The overall result is a handsome vehicle with decidedly upscale aspirations.

Where Ssangyong took its liberty tinkering with the Rexton’s