The updated SsangYong Musso is set to arrive in Australia in October 2023, with a tweaked range and freshened styling.
Government approval documents published in August reveal the Musso will lose its manual transmission option, with all models to instead use a six-speed automatic transmission.
That could see the cost of entry into the range rise, as the base Musso ELX is currently $2000 more expensive when equipped with the auto.
CarExpert understands an additional trim level could join the range to slot in between the ELX and Ultimate.
The approval documents still list a power output of 133kW, indicating the Australian-market Musso will stick with the existing 133kW/400Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.
South Korean-market versions of the ute received an engine tune with 150kW and 441Nm last year, along with an electric power steering set-up that brought adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and active lane-centring.
SsangYong Australia has previously said it stuck with the older setup as it doesn’t require Diesel Exhaust Fluid, which is another term for AdBlue.
“DEF requires an additional tank, this takes up space in the spare wheel area to the point where a full-size spare wheel cannot be fitted,” a company spokesperson told CarExpert last year.
Regular- and extended-wheelbase (XLV) body styles are set to continue.
Compared to the current model, there’s a different LED daytime running light signature and alloy wheel design.
At this stage it’s unclear if there will be any alterations to the interior of the Musso locally.
South Korean-market versions of the updated Musso, like the Rexton, receive a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that juts out of the dashboard, along with new horizontal air vents, climate control pod with touch-capacitive buttons, and USB-C ports.
There’s also a khaki-coloured interior option, joining the existing black.
Until the end of August this year, SsangYong has sold a total of 2584 Mussos in Australia. This makes it the second lowest-volume vehicle in its segment, ahead of only the Jeep Gladiator (507 sales) but only a few hundred units behind the Volkswagen Amarok (3049 sales).
The Musso’s sales are up 187 per cent year-to-date, the most dramatic growth of any vehicle in its segment.
SsangYong Australia still hasn’t confirmed when it’ll roll out its parent company’s new KG Mobility branding Down Under.
The updated Musso, as well as the related Rexton SUV were all revealed with KG Mobility badges.
However, SsangYong’s most recent logo still features on the grille and not the 1990s-era double-circle that had recently made a reappearance.
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