The new Musso 2.3 litre makes its Australian debut this week priced from an ultra-competitive $39,900.

And the entry-level, four-cylinder powered Musso is still exceptionally well equipped, compared with its six-cylinder relation, featuring driver's airbag, alloy-wheels and air-conditioning.

Three new models are available including a highly-specified, manual transmission version, a 4-speed automatic and a top-line automatic version with ABS antilock brakes, leather-bound steering wheel and woodgrain trim.

Producing 104kW power, the robust yet economical multivalve 2.3 litre, twin-overhead camshaft, Mercedes-designed engine is featured in Mercedes' much-lauded E230 E-class executive saloon.

In all, more than 1500 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars have already been sold in Australia since 1996 featuring the popular, high-torque 2.3 litre four-cylinder powerplant.

Local fuel-economy tests have shown tile 2.3 litre manual transmission Musso to be very economical - using less than 12 litres petrol to cover 100 km in city driving conditions.

Well-matched gearing takes advantage of the new engine's ample torque pattern which develops a potent 220 Nm at just 3800 rpm.

And the high-torque advantage translates into highly tractable off-road performance but still delivers admirable fuel-economy.

Mercedes-Benz Australia Managing Director, Bernt Schlickum, said the new 2.3 litre Musso extended Ssangyong's value principle into new markets. He said the new Musso gave his company very powerful sales potential in the $37,000 - $45,000 price bracket - where it previously did not compete.

"The 2.3 litre Musso will compete for sales in a market of around 7,000 units annually. The nature of this market demands highly-equipped, vigourously priced competitors and the new Musso passes the test with flying colours.

He said the new 2.3 model joined an already impressive Mnsso line-up which included the GT performing 6-cylinder and powerful, turbo-diesel alternative. (Turbo-diesel kit - dealer fitment)

With award-winning European styling and Korean quality and reliability, the distinctive, Ssangyong Musso has established itself as a major player in the Australian off-road market.

The Musso represents the first, full-scale foray into the Australian 4WD market by a Korean manufacturer. It is backed by the comprehensive Mercedes-Benz Australia national dealer network and class-leading Three Year/100,000 km Owner Protection and 24-Hour Road Care.

Conceived to offer all the adventure potential of a true off-road vehicle, combined with premium coinfort, the Musso is designed and engineered to provide more car-like driving qualities.

For example, it features responsive rack and pinion steering, a sophisticated five-link coil-sprung rear suspension and gas-pressure shock absorbers for optimum ride and comfort quality.

Riding in the new Ssangyong is also far more passenger car-like than many competitive 4WD's with its shorter, contoured bonnet and larger, distinctively styled side windows creating a more spacious interior environment and greater visibility of the road.

Superior driver ergonomics are made possible by easy-to-hand controls, clear instrumentation, fully tilt-adjustable power steering, driver's footrest, centre console and seatbelt height adjustment.

With one of the largest load spaces in its class (with five passengers and 1.2 cu.m. space for luggage), the Musso's intelligent tailgate design excludes a lip around the opening to create a flat floor and allow items to be slid in and out more easily.

Sophisticated 4WD Technology

Musso's sophisticated, four-wheel-drive system, with automatic locking hubs, features a centre differential with a torque-sensing viscous coupling mounted in the transfer case.

The system distributes, and constantly varies, power to the axle requiring the most grip, enhancing traction on slippery off-road surfaces, reducing on-road understeer and promoting precise handling and steering.

Importantly, the 2.3 litre Musso features a unique electronic, fascia mounted control which permits the driver to change from high range to low range 4WD high range at the flick of a switch while on the move at speeds up to 70 km/h.

This driver-friendly facility means the Ssangyong Musso becomes the simplest 4WD in its class to operate when the going gets tough off-road.

Ssangyong's 'New Wave' Design

The Musso's distinctive European design anticipates the next generation of 4x4 recreational vehicles, which Ssangyong believes will focus more on on-road handling and refinement.

For example, the Musso is lower in height (and therefore centre of gravity) and is backed by confidence-inspiring, power-assisted rack and pinion steering - a rarity among 4WD's.

Other 4WD's feature recirculating ball, or ball and nut, steering arrangements - fitted to reduce off-road kick-back but resulting in a less-precise on-road feel. The Musso overcomes excessive kick-back through cleverly designed steering geometry.

Complementing the Musso's car-like steering, with its tight 3.1 turns lock to lock, is independent double-wishbone front suspension with long-travel torsion bars giving a smooth ride and carefully controlled camber change for predictable handling Gas pressure shock absorbers and front anti-roll bar are standard.

The Musso boasts one of the most sophisticated rear suspension arrangements currently available in a 4WD. The coil-sprang, rigid axle features five location links plus an anti-roll bar - all designed to allow precisely controlled lateral axle movement during hard cornering but allowing free vertical movement for a smooth ride - especially at lower speeds around town.

The axle is located by four longitudinal links and one lateral link which help off-road axle articulation, improving tyre grip. Gas pressure shock absorbers contribute to smooth ride and resist fade under arduous conditions.

The Musso also features some of the widest tyres in its segment with 235/75 rubber adorning its 7JJx l5 alloy wheels which contribute to its rugged stance and ensure secure highway and off-road traction.

Four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated at front) provide impressive stopping power to cope easily with the Musso's ample towing capacity of 2800 kg.

Engine Type

• 2.3 litre petrol, In-line four cylinder, alloy head, cast iron block, four valves per cylinder, DOHC
• Capacity: 2295 cc
• Bore and Stroke: 90.9, 88.4
• Compression ratio: 10.4:1
• Fuel system Bosch: multi-point fuel injection, electronic ignition
• Max. power: 104 kW @ 5400rpm
• Max. torque : 220 Nm @ 3800 rpm
• Fuel tank capacity: 72 litres

Transmission

• Mercedes-Benz 4-speed automatic with sport/economy mode or Borg Warner 5-speed manual.
• Centre differential and viscous coupling mounted in transfer case. Choice of 4WD high or 4WD low ratios, fascia switch selection while stationary

Clutch

• Dry, single plate

Gearbox Ratios

Manual I st 3.37

• 2nd 2.34
• 3rd 1.46
• 4th 1.00
• 5th 0.85
• Reverse 3.70
• Final Drive 3.73

Automatic

• 1st 3.87
• 2nd 2.25
• 3rd 1.44
• 4th 1.00
• Reverse 5.59

Transfer ratios:

• High 1.0:1
• Low 2.48:1
• Final Drive 3.73

Suspension

• Front - Double wishbones, torsion bars, gas-pressure shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
• Rear - Five-link live axle, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, antiroll bar.

Steering

• Power assisted rack and pinion
• Turns lock to lock - 3.1

Brakes

• Front - Ventilated disc 278mm diameter
• Rear - Solid disc 299mm diam. ABS (version 3)

Wheels - Tyres

• Alloy 7JJ x 15 - 235/75 R15 series

Owner Protection Plan

• 3 years/Unlimited km(parts and labour), 3 years Roadcare cover

Dimensions

• Overall length - 4640mm
• Overall width - 1905mm
• Overall height - 1735mm
• Wheelbase - 2630
• Track - Front - 1510
• Track - Rear - 1520
• Min. ground clearance 195 mm
• Turning circle 11.06 m

Kerb weight:

• Manual transmission 1835 kg
• Auto transmission 1850 kg
• Payload 685 kg

Towing capacity

• Braked 2800 kg
• Unbraked 750 kg

Ssangyong Musso 2.3 litre Standard Features- highlights

Version One - Price $39,900

Driver's airbag, Alloy wheels 7JJ x 15, Air-conditioning, Centre console, Automatic free-wheeling hubs, Central locking, Cupholders, Power exterior mirrors, Electric transfer case with switch 'on the fly' to 4 WD, Height adjustable steering column, Power assisted steering, Power windows, Seatbelt height adjust, Tinted glass, Four-wheel disc brakes.

2.3 litre Version Two $42,000

• As per Version One plus:
• 4-speed automatic transmission

2.3 litre Version Three $44,100

• As per Version Two plus:
• ABS antilock brakes, Leather bound steering wheel and gearshift, Interior woodgrain trim.

Musso 3.2 litre petrol

• Version One $49,700
• Version Two $52,800
• Version Three $53,600

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