Ssangyong Rexton 2001 test drive - 2006 SUV

Dry ration

The British recommend getting up from a table with a slight feeling of hunger. About this sensation, we got out of the steering wheel Ssangyong Rexton.
During the presentation of Rexton at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Koreans quite clearly defined the niche for their new all -terrain vehicle. Tell me who your enemy is, and I will tell you who you-Rexton constantly compared with such monsters of the genre as Lexus RX300, Mercedes M-Klasse and BMW X5.
Accordingly, we tuned in to ride a prestigious alternate, and on the morning of the test with a hungry excitement rubbed their hands. But in the evening there was a feeling that they had a delicious, but still rapidly soluble noodles - they drowned hunger, but there was no dumbfill of satiety.
 

 
 
 
Ergonomics of the salon - beyond praise. All levers and switches are at hand, numerous drivers of driver's seat easily allow you to comfortably get a driver of any height behind the wheel

 
Between the keys of increased and reduced gears is a plug of a speaker, suggesting a differential blocking. Why is it where forced blocking is not provided?

 
The design of the automatic checkpoint feels the eternal influence of Mercedes - the handle moves anti -submarine zigzag
Korean menu. Rexton constantly wants to compare with Mercedes M-Klasse. Firstly, this is facilitated by the long and close cooperation of the two firms and the active use of Koreans not only of licensed engines, but also of other components and assemblies. Secondly, Rexton forms are surprisingly reminiscent of the American Mercedes. Koreans do not hide that Rexton was created based on M-Klasse. But they differ in much the same way as the films of seven samurai and a magnificent seven. The topic seems to be one, but disclosed in different ways.
 
On the one hand, audio training is good. You can configure the sound to your liking. On the other hand, for that kind of money I would like to have a car with a good -quality staff system
Korean Rexton is almost 10 cm longer than the American MB and, in our opinion, much more beautiful. The front part of the car is more stylish and modern, where the radiator and block-phara grate with three light radiators under a convex smooth scatter are originally designed. The side pads not only give Rexton a muscular look, but also carry a very definite practical load - it is not so sorry to scratch the plastic during off -road adventures. The back also turned out to be very successful: a massive rear stand, a small window and rounded rear window, which, by the way, can be opened for access to the trunk.
Both all -terrain vehicles are frame, but Rexton abandoned a more expensive independent rear suspension and installed the good old hard bridge.
Fresh dough. From Rexton cars, you usually expect excellent behavior on the highway. Alas, Rexton was very disappointed with us. Firstly, we expected more agility from the Mercedes motor. And from the place of the RX320-it is such a modest designation that was invented in South Korea-it accelerates quite reluctantly: with a noticeable pause between the click of the Kick-Down relay and the expected jump of the tachometer arrow in the direction of the red zone. The situation is somewhat better when spurring it from the course. After the speedometer shooter exceeds 80 mark, Rexton, as it were, opens a second wind, and it easily accelerates, going to overtaking. I would like to add obediently, but the tongue does not turn.
The steering caused us a slight bewilderment. Firstly, the car begins to swing strongly after trying to go around the hole or hatch with which our roads abound. In order to return it to the planned line, Rexton has to literally catch the steering wheel. In fairness, we note that this happens only at high speeds. When switching an assault rifle into a trie, keeping in the fragment of the Korean becomes much easier.
Through the City Trick, Rexton makes his way calmly and with dignity, only now the effort on the steering wheel would like to have less. But maybe it is so conceived, because it seems to be more correct to go to Rexton than the asphalt?
 
Taste seasoning. Rexton manifests itself much brighter, getting out of the buncture in the mud. We happened to experience off -road properties at the training ground in Scotland. In principle, the landfill in the town of Turnberry Resort is intended for the fun of tourists who decided to distract from lessons in the famous golf school driving ATVs. So the track is quite suitable.
Having accelerated along the slippery straight, we immediately force a puddle with a depth of about 30 cm. The streams of dirty water are poured with windshield and scared away the lazes grazing on the next lawn. The next reservoir is two times deeper. True, the automation of the rain sensor did not work out to dump the remaining water from the glass.
Before the slope (no less than 60 percent), representatives of Ssangyong are asked to be especially careful, but the car seems to bite with 16-inch tires of Continental into the bulk surface of the slide. After the logging - the next obstacle laid in a series of massive logs. In a deep ditch with blurry edges, the car rolls onto the side so that the fifth point of the driver drives into the passenger seat, but Rexton seems to crawl on his side due to the large progress of the suspension. The fears of hooking the soil are also in vain - the Koreans did not stint on the solid protection of the pallet and a powerful suspension.
 
The RX320 version is installed by a constant all-wheel drive system TOD (Torgue-on-Demand). Its essence is that the distribution of torque between the front and rear axle is controlled by an electronic unit. Depending on the clutch with the expensive traction, the force is distributed through the viscous coupling between the front and rear -wheel drive in the ratio of 0: 100 to 50:50 percent. On dry asphalt is a classic rear -wheel drive, on the off -road - complete. It is also possible to connect a reduced gear (ratio 1: 2.48), only before that you need to stop and transfer the automatic transmission lever to position N.
 
Taste costs. The interior and technical filling of Rexton were created with a claim for luxury. It is with the claim, since everything is not so soundly and chic nearby. High quality skin looks very strange against the background of plastic inserts under a tree. They are too plastic, and the turning under the tree can only be applied with a stretch. And individual secondary parts from plastic generally suggest the idea of \u200b\u200bself -Palais - even the burrs are not cut. The assembly in places is also lame - for example, an attempt to use the cigarette lighter led to the fact that it fell completely. By the way, no matter how we tried, we could not find an ashtray. There is a cigarette lighter, but no ashtray. It is immediately obvious that Ssangyong was primarily aimed at the American market.
Our Moscow car was equipped with a decent - electric windows, electroregulation of seats with memory, climatic installation. And against the background of this splendor, it was found that the steering wheel was regulated mechanically and only in one plane-up and down. And the absence of even a primitive tripleter, which has long been installed on cheaper models has long been upset.

 
A special nameplate roves on the motor, which says that the unit is made under the license of Daimler Chrysler

 
The headlights of a rather unusual shape, combined with a chrome radiator grille, give Rexton a unique look
 
DINNER IS SERVED. On sale now there is another Rexton - diesel RX290 with a capacity of 118 hp. He attracted our attention by the fact that he was not equipped with an example richer than the top model RX320. Firstly, it regularly installed a third row of seats with separate ducts for gallery. Here they are, the extra 10 cm long compared to M-Klasse. Also in diesel modification, a full-time radio tape recorder with a CD changer and a Hands-Free system were found. A block is installed on the front panel, combining an altimeter, compass and a barometer. In general, the equipment is maximum, although all these details are available as an option for RX320.

 
If the third row of seats is not installed in your car, then Rexton can be used as a truck. The rear seats are folded in a ratio of 60:40, which easily allows you to transport long -dimensional loads. The luggage compartment curtain is included in the standard configuration

 
For the rear passengers, there is a huge glove compartment-transformer. In one position, this is an impromptu table with cup holders. In another - a box for storing ten cd
But the drive in the diesel version is connected. By default, the car is rear -wheel drive, the front wheels and a reduced gear are turned on the buttons on the front panel. It cost a little more than the RX320.
It seems that Ssangyong is experiencing his second coming to Russia. The first was marked by the appearance of used MUSSO on our roads, which in large numbers were imported from Korea. They looked, thanks to not the most aesthetic kit, very wretched, but quite satisfied the hunger for relatively inexpensive, but powerful SUVs. And now - Rexton right from the dealer. Not as expensive as the same M-Klasse or Lexus. But no less stylish and tasty - ready to satisfy hunger, despite the specific Korean seasonings.
Khasan Ganiev, Nikolai Kachurin, photo Alexey Ilyin

Model/Modification Ssangyong Rexton 320
Producer-manufacturer/country Ssangyong Motor Co./yuzhnaya Korea
BODY
Type station wagon
Number of doors/places 5/5
ENGINE
Basin type with electronic injection
Front location, longitudinally
Working volume (cubic cub) 3199
Number/location of cylinders 6/row
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 160 (217) at 6100
Moment (nm at about./Min.) 318 at 4600
TRANSMISSION
The permanent drive is complete
Gearbox automatic, 4-speed
SUSPENSION
Anterior/rear torsion, on double triangular levers, reptile stabilizer/spring, hard bridge, longitudinal levers, traction of panar
Tr ›steering
Type gear rack with a hydraulic booster
Min. The diameter of the turn (m) 11.2
Brakes
Front/rear circular ventilated/disk
ABS electronic, 3-channel
Dimensions/volumes/weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4720/1870/1760
Wheel base (mm) 2820
Equipped mass (kg) 1900
Tires/discs 235/70 R16/7J
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 190
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) No data
Economy
Fuel consumption city/highway (l/100 km) 19.2/12.7
The price in Moscow is $ 38.8 thousand.

 

Source: "Autopilot"