2004 SsangYong Rexton RX270 Xdi

Korea’s SsangYong Motor is a company with a history that goes back 50 years but it’s actually only since 1997 that the company began offering passenger cars. Prior to that, it had been better known (mainly in Korea) for its commercial vehicles although the Musso SUV which was styled by and Englishman was exported to many countries, including Malaysia. Another effort in the form of the Korando met with mediocre reception too.

SsangYong’s decision to venture into passenger cars may seem questionable, given how many carmakers there are in Korea but it made a strategic decision not to follow them by being a mass market producer. Instead, the company chose to cater to a niche way upscale where the other Korean carmakers had not placed as a priority. It aimed to offer premium cars and to get into the game in a high gear, so to speak, the company decided to have a strategic alliance with Mercedes-Benz in 1991.

This alliance started off with technical assistance to develop light commercial vehicles and expanded to cover petrol and diesel engine development. In the process, Mercedes-Benz also took a small share in SsangYong but according to M.S. Kang, Executive Vice-President (Sales General HQ) of SsangYong Motor, the German carmaker no longer has a share in 2004.

What is now clearer is that the strategic alliance was not so much to just allow SsangYong to obtain models to clone but to enable its engineers to spend a lot of time in Mercedes-Benz learning to develop premium passenger cars and SUVs. Although the first model, the Chairman, was based on the Mercedes E-Class (W124) model, the Rexton was a more in-house effort although the styling was done by ItalDesign of Italy.

More significantly, the Korean engineers were at Mercedes-Benz at an opportune time when the CDI (common rail direct injection) technology for turbodiesel engines was being developed. They thus had an opportunity to learn much about this new generation of diesel engines and brought home the technology to design their own engine in 2000.

“Our engineers were good students and absorbed the lessons so that they could design their own engine during a 4-year program that cost around US$142 million (about RM540 million).” Mr Kang told AUTOWORLD.COM.MY. “German engineers also assisted in this development program and we used the high standards of testing that Mercedes-Benz uses in all our development processes.”

He revealed that some 200 prototype engines were built and tested over millions of kilometres in the laboratories and in the real world. The engine, designated ‘Xdi270’, was engineered for a service life of at least a million kilometres and is claimed to have quality and strength comparable to Mercedes-Benz units as many of its components are purchased from the same suppliers for Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The common-rail DI system is from Delphi Automotive which is one of the two sales leaders of such a fuel-delivery system.

The XDi270 engine has the very latest in turbodiesel technology and is considered a 3rd generation CDI engine. Fuel is introduced into the five combustion chambers at an ultra-high pressure of 1,600 bar (most systems are still operating at 1,400 bar). This high-pressure enhances the combustion process to generate a high power output of 121 kW/165 ps at 4000 rpm and 340 Nm of torque between 1800 – 3200 rpm.

Major features of the XDi270 engine include two overhead camshafts driven by a double-bush chain, four valves per cylinder, and the use of a 32-bit Engine Control Unit (ECU) for high-speed management. The in-built diagnostic systems are also very advanced with two knock sensors and the capability of having a constantly variable minimum drive pulse so that smoother and quieter operation is maintained.

For the new Rexton RX270 XDi sold in Malaysia, the standard transmission is a Mercedes-Benz T-Tronic 5-speed automatic transmission which is an exceptionally advanced and intelligent transmission. It is the same type of unit Mercedes-Benz uses in its own models.

Before being installed in the Rexton RX270 XDi, the T-Tronic transmission was carefully programmed to match the characteristics of the new SsangYong engine so as to ensure optimum performance in all driving conditions. The Artificial Intelligence programming is so sophisticated that it can intuitively determine the driver’s intentions from the way he or she depresses the accelerator pedal. This makes for smoother shifting as well as more economical operation. The shift map varies according to driving conditions and on slopes, it also provides for delayed changes to make driving more enjoyable.

Besides five forward gear ratios, there are also two reverse gears, the second one to prevent slipping when reversing the vehicle in extremely slippery conditions. As with many automatic transmissions in today’s luxury models, the driver also has the option of making shifts manually (T-Tronic mode) to enjoy a sportier driving style.

Power delivery is through a transfer case with High and Low ranges that are selected at the touch of a button on the dashboard. In the standard RX270 Xdi, the drivetrain is part-time 4WD, meaning it runs in rear-wheel drive unless 4WD is manually selected. For the more expensive RX270 XDi-Lux, there is a Torque-on-Demand system which allows for full-time 4WD. This system varies torque between front and rear axles according to terrain conditions, from 3:97 (front:rear) to 44:56.

The Rexton has chassis frame construction, a design approach which is typical for large SUVs. In this type of design, there is the benefit of great strength and also good load-carrying capability. The perimeter frame beam cross-section is 148 mm high and between 60 mm and 70 mm wide, so there is exceptional rigidity which will prove beneficial to other elements which are connected to the chassis frame.

For suspension, there are double wishbones/coil springs in front and a 5-link arrangement at the rear which also uses coil springs. The use of many links allows precise location of the wheel in the optimum geometry for the best traction and handling, as well as provide more efficient dispersal of road shocks for a more comfortable ride.

New in the 2004 model is Speed-Sensing Power Steering which uses a similar principle of operation as steering systems found in many Mercedes-Benz and BMW models. This new rack and pinion system has more intelligent operation to maximize assistance in low-speed conditions such as when parking or maneuvering in congested traffic. As speeds increase, assistance is reduced proportionately so that the driver will experience more stability in steering feel at higher speeds, thereby increasing confidence as well. The difference in assistance between maximum and minimum is approximately 2.5 times.

The Rexton’s brake system is designed to provide plenty of stopping power which is matched to the performance of the vehicle. For 2004, there is improved performance with a new front brake system comprising 2-pot calipers and ventilated discs that are enlarged to 294 mm in diameter. The brake booster is also a quick-response type with a firm feel that inspires confidence in the driver. Non-steel brake pads are used to reduce wheel corrosion, extend brake pad life and significantly reduce brake noise.

Needless to say, very high standards of active safety are provided for the Rexton. These include a factory-fitted ABS as well as Brake Assist to boost braking pressure during emergency braking. The ABS also includes Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) which ensures stable braking whatever load is carried on board. For the high-end version, there is also the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which is a smart stability control system that uses brakes and adjusts engine output to stabilise the vehicle if understeer or oversteer start to occur.

Passive safety is also of a high standard in the Rexton, starting with a very strong steel body which meets the latest international crash test requirements. Front occupants also have SRS airbags and additional airbags at the door sides of their seats which will deploy during an impact from the side. To provide extra resistance to intrusion during a side impact, there are also strong beams inside the four side doors.

The exterior of the 2004 model has subtle changes. There is a new chrome radiator grille which gives a more refined presentation. It is flanked by a projector headlamp design which is futuristic and high-tech while the body-integrated bumper and nudge bar give a sporty look. Nine body colour choices are now available for the latest Rexton range.

Other little details also provide a fresh look to the New Rexton. For example, the low-profile roof rack is in silver instead of the conventional black, giving a more fashionable and elegant look. The side garnish also has chrome inserts and white repeater lights (mounted on the front fenders) for the turn indicators also add a touch of elegance. Also new are the alloy wheel designs and on the door mirrors, the glass has a soothing blue tint.

All versions of the new Rexton RX270 Xdi have a premium image with the long list of standard features, including a sunroof/moonroof. Taking into consideration customer feedback on the appearance of the cabin, SsangYong Motor’s designers have provided a new trim colour combination which has a black tone and wood trim with a more subdued texture.

While the dashboard design is carried over from the 2003 model, the instrument panel is all-new with a LED black-face cluster and jade-green display of information. For convenience, audio controls are also located on the steering wheel so adjustments can be made without taking the hands away from the steering wheel.

The Rexton is a true seven-seater with three rows of generously-proportioned seats. The second and third rows can be folded flat to extend the floor length of the cargo area as well as volume; with both the second and third rows folded flat, the length of the cargo area extends to as much as 1770 mm. It’s also very easy to load luggage or other goods with the large rear opening which measures 940 mm high and 1080 mm wide. Should there be small items, the rear glass window can be opened separately, making it unnecessary to raise the whole door. Owners who are not tall will also be delighted to find that SsangYong Motor’s thoughtful designers have provided an assist strap to pull down the rear door for closing.

While the new Rexton is not going to be a threat to the highly successful Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX300 anytime soon, it is likely to sell in significant numbers because it is certainly a value-for-money package.

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