06 April 2009 - 13:00
Not sso bad
Notorious for producing hideous cars with even worse names, it’s fair to say we’re not exactly Ssangyong’s biggest fans. Winner of WTF Car? Awards’ Minger of the Year 2009 with the truly terrible Rodius, they’re crap to drive and feel about as sturdy as cheap flat-pack wardrobe.
But the C200, just revealed at the Seoul Motor Show in South Korea last week is distinctly… OK. Not the best-looking car in the world, but not exactly repulsive either, eh?
Scheduled for production later this year and expected to reach the UK within the next 12 months, it will be available in two versions and three power choices – the Eco diesel hybrid and the actually not-bad-looking Aero 175bhp 2.0-litre diesel or turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol.
Heralding something of a new era for the struggling Korean carmaker, the C200 was designed by Giugiaro’s ItalDesign - the clever Italians behind the Maserati Quattroporte.
Jumping on the already crowded green bandwagon, Ssangyong is calling the the C200 a ‘compact urban vehicle’ and emphasising the Eco’s emissions compliance at every available opportunity, mainly by painting it an arresting shade of bile green.
The C200 is the first major step in Ssangyong’s plans for global awareness as the Korean manufacturer prepares to introduce 20 new models over the next five years. Hell, this could be the start of a brave new Ssangyong dawn. Maybe...
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Not sure about the NHS spec's for headlights myself, or the front grill that looks like its stuffed with elastic bands. But that said I'm not currently vomiting so its a huge leap forwards for Ssangyong.
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I expect SIAC influence and relationships are coming to bear on product design. They certainly couldn't make it any worse.
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You know why this looks better than the car which must not be named (THE RODIUS) Its because they crucified the last designer
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Is that melting cheese inside the front grill? Surely its not ItalDesign's doing is it? Nice work on looks though, as expected from ItalDesign. How will it drive? As long as I can remember SSangYongs drive like cardboard boxes...
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Hmmm A 55 plate A3 Sportback on steroids and painted in one of Audi's "custom" colours.
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S'funny you should mention Audi - I was thinking that there were strong hints of the early visuals for the A1 in there, but then I remembered the hateful little Chevy Aveo. Mix the two together and bob's yer uncle. Having said that it's stil a pleasant departure for SsangWrong after the appalling Rodius and.. what was the other one.. The Rectum, probably.. Now they just need to make sure that the interior isn't as shocking as their current ones.
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OMG!!! I saw a Ssang Youg 2day and pointed it out to my m8s, then i saw this article on the same day. A little coincidance
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What is that spaghetti on the front grille? The car looks like one of those poor animals that have heart worms all over them.
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I'm sorry, Ssangyong? Ssangyong?! No, no, no, no, no. With Kia, Honda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Nissan all offering a decent range of small and mid-size motors, many of which are positively bulging with eco-credentials, why would anyone with half a brain be interested in a Ssangyong? Also, plastic trim around headlights - JUST SAY 'NO'.
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Nice! liking this! Looks a bit smug perhaps but thats a small thing. Looks like it could be made entirely of plastic though.....? ;) Hmm still not sure about Ssangyong. Who thought of a name and spelling like that for a car brand?
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Mikeado commented on this article
06 April 2009
If in doubt, rip stuff off. Very Volvo-ish nose, BMW wheels, and a Fiat or something in the rest of that pic. Still, not bad at all for a Ssangyong.
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