Ssangyong Korando C

2012 Ssangyong Korando C

The rebirth of Ssangyong is the time to rebirth a legendary name in the form of its new crossover look. The Korando name, stands for Korean Can Do, is now reborn and it's no longer a jeep form, it's now evolved into a Classy Utility Vehicle, designed and enhanced to topple against the Korean crossovers like the Hyundai Tucson iX, Kia Sportage R, and GM Korea's Chevrolet Orlando ALV. Don't call the new Korando C sexy nor smart. The C in the Korando C naming means "Classy", giving the concept term Classy Utility Vehicle come alive.

On its new look, the Korando C boasts a luxurious design that looks somewhat similar to Hyundai's Tucson iX and Kia's Sportage R, but its Classy detail is fit enough for the "classian" to get in. I'm impressed to see that the Korando C is no longer an ugly Korando in the past and now made even more stylish to meet the demands of style-worthy customers. On the inside, the new Korando C looks stylish, but it's pretty much more like the aging Super Rexton SUV. Despite that, this 21st Century Korando garnered some of the appeals from legendary designer, Giorgietto Giugiaro, making this reborn Korean crossover a world-class touch everyone deserves.

The new Korando C is powered with the new e-XDi200 engine. This new engine has a power output of either 175PS (manual variant) or 181 PS (auto variant), torque output of 36.7kg-m, and the class no. 1 fuel economy of 17.6km/L (2WD MT variant). With this fuel economy, I'm sure this will put the sexy Tucson and the smart Sportage to shambles. The reborn Korando made it more economical and finally garnered a status of being a Korean eco-car. Depending on the variant, two transmission types are offered to the Korando C; a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed E-tronic. The E-tronic variant uses shift-like dials on the steering wheel instead of paddle shifters. To shift down, press the "D-" button and to shift up, hit the "D+" button. First timers may find it hard to master this different E-tronic variant from the Korando C, but if they get a hang of it, it can be somewhat enjoyable. However, I still prefer the 6MT variant of the Korando C because with the 2WD and 6MT combined, this has the class-leading fuel economy.

The new Korando C comes in three types; Chic, Clubby, and Classy. Depending on the type, customers can choose either the 2.0L 2WD 6MT, 2.0L 2WD 6AT, 2.0L 4WD 6AT, or the 2.0L 4WD 6MT variant. It comes with seven exterior colors;

1) Space Black
2) Grand White
3) Silent Silver
4) Tonic Grey
5) Ice Blue
6) Vitamin Red
7) Sable Gray

My thoughts about the Korando C:
First encountered this 21st century Korando as the C200 concept in the past, debuted in February 22, 2011, and sales start early next month, the 21st century Korando marks the rebirth of Ssangyong Motor Company, after brinks of bankruptcy and now under Mahindra and Mahindra's control. It's good to say that if the Hyundai Tucson iX is sexy, and the Kia Sportage R is smart, the new Ssangyong Korando C is classy, as in "Classy Utility Vehicle" and its made for the upperclassmen who are in search for perfect crossovers. With class-leading fuel economy of 17.6km/L, the Ssangyong Korando's grand comeback staged victorious against those but is it worth the challenge? I hope someone compares these trio of Korean crossovers and decide if sexy, smart, or classy is the right thing when it comes to decide which Korean crossover will prevail, and with the Korando C, what new challenges will take on?

Photo: http://www.ajnews.co.kr/