Fresh from its concept debut at the Seoul International Motor Show this year, the Kyron is set to upset the small-medium 4WD apple cart in the first quarter of next year.

Locally, it will be powered by a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel which SsangYong says will generate best-in-class power and torque.

The Kyron calling card will be roominess for five passengers and that spaciousness extends to its luggage area.

The turbodiesel 2.0L will be entry level, while a 3.2-litre petrol V6 model replete with leather, stability and hill descent control, and rollover protection will be the top model. These two will bookend the 2.7 litre common-rail turbodiesel.

There are few turbodiesels available in the RAV4/Forester/CR-V class, and this 2.0L example has peak output of 141kW at 4000rpm and 310Nm between 1800rpm and 2750rpm. Transmission options will both be five speeders, the auto with manual sequential shift gate.

Kyron will weigh around 2.0 tonnes, and is said to offer open road economy of around 7.0L/100km in manual format.

Ken Greenley, the designer of Musso, also penned Kyron. At 4660mm long, 1740mm high, and 1880mm wide and with a wheelbase of 2740mm, the Kyron is slightly larger than class rivals.

Kyron is expected to become the volume seller for SsangYong in Australasia.

- Source fromwww.stuff.co.nz(Oct 04, 2005) -