Mahindra and Mahindra-owned Korean auto company SsangYong is now preparing to get more aggressive by updating its model range in India. The company had launched its premium SUV Rexton a few years back and is now ready with another version. Ammar Alvi has more.
After taking over SsangYong, Indian auto giant Mahindra and Mahindra has been revising the strategy to bring it neck to neck with the competitors. And Rexton has done well to cement itself as a worthy alternative to the likes of the Toyota Fortuner or the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Till now the Rexton was available only in two versions, the RX5 badged manual and the RX7 badged automatic. The company has decided to add another version with a manual gearbox, called the RX6. The RX6 will have all the luxury of the top of the line automatic model, which was missing in the RX5 model. The SsangYong Rexton RX6 will most likely remain mechanically identical to the currently available manual version but will get a serious upgrade in terms of interior spec. The biggest addition to the interior will be new leather seats with eight-way electronic adjustment for the driver’s seat. The Rexton RX6 will also get a memory seat and outside rear view mirror option along with an automatic day-night interior rear view mirror. The list of features continues with an electronic sunroof with tilt and open functions.
The Rexton RX6 will also receive speed sensitive power steering. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob will receive additional wooden gain and metal detailing. The Rexton RX6 will also get automatic headlamps, automatic rain sensing wipers and cruise control as standard equipment. Along with interior trim and added gizmos, the new variant is also expected to get additional safety equipment like side airbags, ESP, hill descent control and active anti-rollover protection control.
As far as the engine goes the new Rexton RX6, like its other variants, is powered by a 162bhp, 2.7-litre, five-cylinder, turbo-diesel motor, sourced from Mercedes and will be offered with a five-speed manual transmission.
The SsangYong Rexton RX6 will be priced at around Rs 20.8 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). We certainly hope it will attract SUV lovers who are looking out for a change.
Ford Endeavour
Engine: 3 litre diesel;
156 bhp
Mileage: 7.7-12.7 kmpl
Price: Rs 18.25-21.25 lakh (ex-showroom)
Toyota Fortuner
Engine: 3 litre diesel; 168 bhp
Mileage: 7-10.6 kmpl
Price: Rs 22.04 lakh (ex-showroom)
SsangYong Rexton
Engine: 2.7 litre diesel; 162 bhp
Mileage: 12.5 kmpl
Expected Price: Rs 20.8 lakh (ex-showroom)