Ssangyong Actyon test drive since 2010 SUV
The road is young!
Active & Young (for active and young) is so deciphered by the name of the next recruit in the Ssangyong line. Why is this car aimed at such an audience? How it differs from other cars of the Korean manufacturer and how it looks like famous Europeans, we tried to find out by taking Ssangyong Actyon on the test.
The design of any Ssangyong is able to cause a discussion on the connection of the appearance of the machine with its success in the market. Which is better for a company, behind which there is no centenary experience in car of cars and, accordingly, dozens of cult models, one fact of the appearance of a new generation of which forces the client to part with money?
To make products, in everything (including in design) copying world standards? Or give out shocking samples? Ssangyong with a choice, it seems, was decided
So Actyon appeared before us the next example of an expressive design, which cuts the eye with a convex hood, bulging radiator grille and a completely incomprehensible look with headlights, a kind of circle in a triangle. You can not know which model is in front of you, but there are no doubts that it is Ssangyong. But Stop! What is so reminded by Actyon from behind? Where did I see this geometry of the back door and lanterns? This is Ford Focus hatchback! Do not believe compare!
To be precise, the design of Ssangyong Actyon cannot be considered Korean. Like Kyron, Musso and Korando models, the car is the fruit of the work of the famous Briton Ken Greenley. Earlier, he headed the faculty of transport design of the Royal College of Arts in London, which, in turn, is responsible for some models of Aston Martin and Bentley.
Well, MUSSO was the biggest achievement of the artist during his work at Ssangyong: the car received a number of prizes in 1994 and 1996. Oddly enough, the prizes were issued to his native Britain
Despite the completely unique appearance, the need to represent Actyon as a completely new model, generally speaking, is not entirely obvious. Made at the same base with Kyron, he is technically and the interior is very similar to his relative.
Prices Ssangyong Actyon costs from 769,000 rubles. For an all-wheel drive crossover with a 2.3-liter gasoline 150-horsepower engine and a mechanical gearbox. The basic equipment also includes airbags of the driver and passenger, ABS, the rear differential of high friction, climate control, electric package, steering wheel amplifier, audio training. A car with a machine gun is available from 809,000 rubles, and with a 2.0-liter engine, the engine costs from 796,000 rubles.
Both there and here, a frame connected by all-wheel drive and a two-liter 141-horsepower diesel engine (Actyon, however, offers a 2.3-liter 150-horsepower gasoline engine). So, the appearance of Active & Young can be largely explained by the manufacturer’s desire to shine with another option of expressive design from Ssangyong.
However, one difference is quite significant: Actyon is 15 cm shorter. And these centimeters are stolen by the trunk, as a result of which the places are slightly laid out with the rear seats, even more so that the floor is here (it is not clear from what reasons) is raised very highly.
Apparently, young, active and muscular should be interested to the trunk to a lesser extent, and even more so its height above the ground. At the same time, the road clearance is not God the news: 20 cm. This fact, coupled with smaller dimensions, apparently allows the manufacturer to consider Actyon a car for the city and for asphalt to a much greater extent than other Ssangyong. The impressions of driving on it will not be a revelation. Especially for those who were driving other Ssangyong. Unless acceleration may seem more awake, although the reason for this is not obvious: according to the weight of Actyon and Kyron, they almost do not differ.
Nevertheless, 310 nm of the maximum torque, sharply screening with rubber, caused a blinking of a yellow indicator on the tidy: the rear wheels lost contact with the road. The drive becomes complete when a round puck-regulator is installed in 4H mode. In this case, the engine power will be cut between the front and rear wheels.
And the frame is a frame. Even on even asphalt, she cannot provide an absolutely smooth ride, guaranteeing twitching and shaking. It allows you to confidently feel on country roads. And the high center of gravity, the thoughtfulness of the steering and the delay of the chassis of the chassis to the actions of the driver, the souche make you feel uncertain. Especially on the asphalt.
What can Ssangyong Actyon offer? As we have already noted, non -trivial design and decent quality. Do not forget about an interesting price (less than 800,000 rubles) in the basic configuration and, finally, about Actyon time saving do not wait. Just come and buy!
In today's car reality, this dignity is almost outweighing all the others.
The car for the test was provided by Axel Line, an official Ssangyong dealer.
Text: Philip Berezin
Photo: Roman Ostanin
Source: Wheel magazine [No. 117/2007]
