SsangYong Motor Company, the South Korean based subsidiary of the Indian UV maker Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Limited, is all geared up for the launch of its world renowned Rexton Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) on the Indian turf on October 17, 2012. Currently, the upcoming Rexton is marketed in the international scene and is widely regarded as a powerful beast in the guise of a SUV. The Mahindra-SsangYong alliance is believed to put the Rexton in a direct tussle against the likes of Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Hyundai Santa Fe in the Indian SUV market.
The yet-to-be launched SsangYong Rexton is believed to come with a 2.7 litre Common Rail diesel power-mill under its hood, that could deliver a peak power-torque performance around 165 Nm and 340 Nm, respectively. The mill will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox system that laces its drivetrain with the solid authority to command any difficult terrain with utmost confidence and ease. Considering the Rexton models present in the international markets, its Indian version is expected to come trimmed with world class interior and exterior attributes of a state-of-the-art premium SUV.
Coming to under the hood specifications of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, the premium SUV incorporates a 16-valve 2.5 litre turbocharged diesel powertrain, which churns out a peak power of 175.56 bhp along with a mammoth torque delivery of 400 Nm. Further, the Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) technology installed in the diesel motor delivers an optimal turbo aspect ratio even at high speeds, in order to achieve better power performance and reducing fuel combustion. The Mitsubishi product scores better points in terms of overall engine design and power-performance output than Rexton, besides the superior mileage of Pajero Sport could also influence the sentiments of Indian buyers away from the SsangYong SUV.
Mitsubishi offers the premium SUV Pajero Sport to the Indian SUV enthusiasts at a price bracket ranging from around Rs. 22 lacs to Rs. 25 lacs. However, the SUV failed to influence the market leadership of Toyota Fortuner due to its relatively higher price. Evidently, no information regarding the Rexton has yet been revealed from the stables of Mahindra but the yet-to-be launched SsangYong is believed to carry a price tag around the Rs. 20 lacs bracket. Only time will decide how the South Korean and Japanese SUVs fare against each other in the Indian passenger car market but one thing is certain, some action between the two is surely in the offing.
