SSANGYONG ANNOUNCES NEW MUSSO LINE-UP TO INCLUDE IMPRESSIVE LONGBED VARIANT

• Four updated trim levels available – EX, Rebel and Saracen and Rhino LWB
• 1-tonne payload and 3.5-tonne towing capacity (automatic)
• Multi-purpose pick-up offering practicality, versatility and style
• Incorporates the latest in automotive safety technologies
• Quad-frame body and proven 4-wheel drive system delivers rugged off-road capability
• One of the largest interiors, with access and rear seat space for five to travel in comfort
• Comprehensively equipped including advanced infotainment system
• The only pick-up truck tough enough to offer a 7-year/150,000-mile warranty

SsangYong Motors UK is delighted to introduce the new model year SsangYong Musso line-up into the UK market, including a new long-bed variant. In 2018, the Musso was totally revamped and a new generation was borne – Musso is now smarter, safer, and more stylish than ever.  Musso had a complete re-design from the ground up, and now the only thing in common with its’ predecessor, is its name.

Musso is an award-winning multi-role four-wheel drive pick-up, blending functionality with style and bold features that project stability and on-road presence. Its striking and impressive, giving Musso an immediate presence. The Musso has a tough, strong and value-for-money 4-wheel drive proposition. It’s an extremely competent multi-purpose truck with SsangYong values to the core – that is, comprehensively equipped, a sector-leading 7-year/150,000-mile warranty, plus a surprising level of interior refinement and great infotainment.

Exterior design cues
Being robust and workman-like is no longer enough for pick-up trucks, with customers looking for a working vehicle that also looks good.  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.

There are sporty fog lamps and daytime running lights on all models, and stylish roof bars on the Rebel, Saracen and Rhino. The doors are designed to cover the sills along the lower part of the body to ensure passengers don’t pick up dirt from the side of the vehicle when getting in and out, while bold 18-inch wheels on the Rebel and Saracen tell you this is no ordinary pick-up.

Space
Designed to carry passengers in comfort and transport loads securely, the SUV-based Musso combines a five-seat crew-cab body style with a workman-like load deck that will accommodate a full-sized Euro pallet in the short-bed, and the long-bed offers an additional 310mm in the back. 

The load deck affords an extremely useful cargo area that is large enough to carry a 1-tonne payload and equipped as standard with a tough fitted load liner, a 12V/120W power outlet and rotating hooks to help strap-down loads such as tools and equipment on both short-bed and long-bed variants.

Interior design cues
Inside, Musso is exceptionally well equipped compared with other pick-ups, and as well as offering excellent shoulder and leg room front and rear, Nappa leather seats can be found on the top of the range models for added luxury and comfort.  DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity feature across the range, while all but the entry level model feature a state-of-the-art infotainment system that includes an 8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Wi-fi mirroring, or 9.2-inch screen with TomTom navigation on top line models.

Total load capacity
Most pick-ups cannot tow a trailer at maximum weight and carry a full payload at the same time, but Musso and Musso Rhino are different from most pick-ups. With a class-leading gross train weight of 6450kg (manual), 6750kg (automatic) and 6900kg (Rhino) Musso has the highest total load capacity of any pick-up on sale in the UK. It can tow 3.5-tonnes (automatic) concurrently to give the highest total load capacity in the segment. 

                                                                  Man      Auto     Rhino Auto LWB

Gross train weight (kg)                    6450      6750      6900

Gross vehicle weight (kg)                3250      3250      3400

Kerb weight (kg)                                2145      2155      2260

Towing limit (kg)                                3200      3500      3500

Payload (kg)                                       1105      1095      1140

Total load capacity (kg)                 4305     4595     4640

Driving performance
The Musso is powered by the same e-XDi220 engine found in the Rexton and delivers a maximum power of 181ps at 3,800rpm and a maximum torque of 420Nm at 1,600 to 2,600rpm. This highly efficient, quiet and proven
engine delivers progressive acceleration from a standing start, and strong low-end torque typical of SsangYong power units. Musso achieves a CO2 emission level of 216 (NEDC) and economy of up to 29.4 mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and achieves 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds (auto) and 11.3 seconds (manual). The power train has been proven to deliver outstanding output in the low to mid-range and Musso is available with either a 6-speed manual or an Aisin 6-speed automatic with its success proven by other automotive brands.

4WD system
The LCV’s 4-wheel drive system draws on SsangYong’s years of experience in all-wheel-drive technology.  For better efficiency and greater fuel economy, it features a selectable 4-wheel drive system with power delivered permanently to the rear wheels, and front wheel drive dialed in electronically as required, with high and low ratios available as on and off-road conditions demand. The system includes hill descent control and hill start assist to provide optimum grip, traction and safety.

With primary drive to the rear wheels, the ride, handling and driving stability are enhanced thanks to the well-balanced weight distribution, and a combination of double wishbone suspension at the front and 5-link independent suspension at the rear (short-bed) on models with automatic transmission deliver great ride-quality.

Advanced Safety Systems
The SsangYong Musso benefits from the latest in safety technology, its advanced features working to protect occupants, other road users and pedestrians, both in determining the risk of an impending accident and in the event of a collision. With on-trend 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 – a world first, and featuring 79.2% high density 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. Passenger safety has been a top priority for the SsangYong Musso, a vehicle’s “crash zone” is where most of the force from a frontal collision is transferred to the occupants in the cabin.

Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
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 that the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels are excellent. 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. Musso’s NVH levels are much improved over its predecessors, due to its stiffer body, improved aerodynamics to reduce wind noise, better engine isolation by means of eight body mounts which have been newly designed to lower chassis and body vibration reducing road and tyre noise.

Multimedia
The Musso doesn’t just offer real advances on-road and off-road, it also offers them on-screen. All models feature an advanced infotainment system that includes DAB radio, Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come with the middle and top specification models, as does a rearview reversing camera. Everything is displayed on either an 8.0” screen or a 9.2” screen with TomTom navigation on the top models. Carbon nanotube front speakers, front door tweeters and rear door speakers are also fitted. 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 line-up
Available in a 2.2 diesel engine with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, the SsangYong Musso is extremely well equipped and comes with generous levels of equipment as standard. Musso comfortably seats 5 passengers with the versatility that you would expect from a modern pick-up. There are four trim levels to choose from – the entry model EX, mid-spec Rebel and the high-spec Saracen in a short-bed option and the ultimate high-spec Rhino in the long bed variant only. Sharing the powertrain, the key specification differences are as follows:

Musso EX 
The short-bed EX offers the market-entry truck that is built for a hard day’s work at an unbeatable price. It comes with 17” alloy wheels, a DAB audio/Bluetooth system, 6 airbags, electric windows, remote central locking that includes the tail gate, manual air conditioning, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers and ad-blue.

Musso Rebel 
The short bed Rebel builds on the EX specification, adding roof rails, floor mats, an 8” smart audio infotainment system with Google CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear-view reversing camera, leather-look seats, front seats that are both heated and ventilated, heated leather steering wheel, black and silver side steps and Rebel graphics.

Musso Saracen 
Adding a premium feel, short bed Saracen is instantly recognisable with its 18” alloy wheels, and adds Nappa leather seats, power adjustable drivers and front passenger seats, heated rear seats, 9.2” screen with TomTom navigation, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and Saracen graphics.

Musso Rhino
The new long-bed Rhino is really very special.  Available in all colours in the range, it features 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission, automatic climate control, 17” alloy wheels fitted with XL tyres, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist, dark tinted rear privacy glass, and Rhino graphics. The Rhino is the only Musso available in the long-bed variant, offering an extra 300mm in the load area.

View from the top
Commenting on the revised model Musso line-up and the introduction of the long-bed Rhino, Nick Laird managing director of SsangYong Motor UK said: “Back in 2018, SsangYong set new standards for a value-priced pick-up, with the launch of Musso. The updated model year Musso and the introduction of a long-bed truck, is further evidence of the brand’s re-generation.  It demonstrates the rapid progress being made as a specialist producer of pick-ups and SUVs. The Musso is great value for money, is extremely well equipped. It has distinctive look, like all SsangYong models, and boasts an array of advanced safety and infotainment technologies.”