• All-new multi-purpose pick-up offers practicality, versatility and style
• 3.0-tonne towing capacity
• Quad-frame body construction and proven 4x4 system
• Comprehensively equipped including advanced infotainment system

The all-new SsangYong Musso dual cab Ute is poised to be a major contender in the Australian market when it launches later this year with a combination of comfort, convenience and value-for-money.

Sharing its underpinnings with the award-winning Rexton SUV, Musso's body-on-frame construction provides give an extremely strong vehicle that delivers excellent off-road driving performance and safety from its quad-frame and part time four-wheel-drive system.

"Australia is the home of the Ute and we are genuinely excited about the prospects for the all-new Musso," said SsangYong Australia Managing Director Tim Smith.

"We will be going to market with a vehicle that offers customers outstanding performance, class-leading carrying capabilities, a host of creature comforts and tough, rugged styling.

"The all-new Musso is set to land a few punches on the established players," he said.

The new Musso – Korean for rhino – takes its strong, tough and powerful image from the brand's heritage established over 60 years ago and revives the nameplate of one of the first SsangYong vehicles sold in Australia in the 1990s. 

Designed to carry passengers in comfort and transport loads securely, the Musso combines a five-seat crew-cab body style with a workman-like load deck that will take a full-sized Euro pallet.

Musso is powered by the e-XDi220 engine found in the Rexton, delivering maximum power of 133 kW at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 400Nm from 1,400, matched to 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed Aisin automatic.

Inside, Musso is exceptionally well equipped compared with other pick-ups, and as well as offering excellent shoulder and leg room front and rear, and the option of nappa leather seats.  DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity feature across the range, while higher specification models feature an 8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

STYLING

Exterior design
The exterior design of the Musso gives the vehicle a bold and muscular stance and adopts the purposeful front-end design of all new SsangYong vehicles.

A bold chrome line across the radiator grille and the curves of the bonnet present a robust look and a real impression of strength. The shoulder wing grille - now a styling cue of the brand stretches out to the headlights, while the dynamic character lines to the side and especially the rear add to its powerful stance.

At over 5 meters (5,095mm), the new Musso gives one of the largest cabin interiors in its class. The load bed dimensions of 1300x1570x570mm means the Musso can easily swallow a Euro pallet.

"We will also be launching a long wheelbase version of Musso, with an extra 400mm in the length of the load bed for tradesmen and farmers wanting the extra space, without sacrificing the towing performance or creature comforts," said Mr. Smith.

The load decks of Musso come equipped with a tough fitted load liner, a 12V/120W power outlet and rotating hooks to help tie down loads.

Interior design
Based on the new Rexton, the interior of the Musso offers a high standard of detailing, fit and finish.

With one of the most spacious interiors in its segment, the second row of seats is designed for three passengers to travel comfortably with ample space.

DRIVING PERFORMANCE

Powertrain
The car's four-wheel drive system draws on SsangYong's years of experience in all-wheel-drive technology and features a selectable 4x4 system. Power is delivered permanently to the rear wheels, with front wheel drive dialed in electronically as required, with high and low ratios available as conditions demand.

The system includes hill descent control and hill start assist to provide optimum grip, traction and safety.

Starting with the truck's rigid body on frame construction and the fitment of eight body mounts and large rubber engine mounts, the Musso has also been carefully tuned by Pininfarina to ensure low levels noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

Polyester wheel-arch linings reduce road noise so passengers can travel in comfort, the engine bay includes better sealing to improve sound, dust and waterproofing, while wind noise is reduced thanks to detailing such as fourfold door sealing and aerodynamically designed wiper blades.

SAFETY
With new technologies and features, the new SsangYong Musso ensures excellent levels of safety and includes six airbags on all models. With the high-strength steel construction of its Quad-frame, the vehicle is stiffer than its competitors, achieved by using 1.5Gpa-grade ultra-strength steel.  This not only gives greatly improved body strength but also reduced weight.

The pick-up also features impact absorbing elements in the steering wheel and steering column to minimise injuries from a frontal collision, while the structure and materials employed in the frontal area of the body are designed to improve pedestrian safety.

INFOTAINMENT & CONVENIENCE
All models feature an advanced infotainment system that includes DAB radio, Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come with the higher specification ELX and Ultimate models, as does a reversing camera.

Other standard features include an adjustable tilt & telescopic steering wheel, electric windows, cruise control, central locking, air-conditioning with fine dust filters and a 12V/120W power outlet in the cargo deck area.

The range-topping Ultimate version will come with are cameras front and rear, and the latest suite of electronic safety aids including 360 degree around-view monitoring.