Coming soon will be a sporty crossover design from Ssangyong, called the Actyon; it's a mix of unusual coupé-like styling, traditional 4x4 abilities and a more sophisticated technical specification.

Busan Motor Show 2006

the Busan International Motor Show in South Korea this year features four world-debut vehicles, with 25 manufacturers, and 171 automotive related companies from 10 countries represented. The show press days were on April 27 and the public show runs from April 28 to May 7.

Located on the southeast of the Korean peninsula, Busan is the second largest city in South Korea. Busan is holding the show for the third time, and organizers are planning to hold a full-fledged motor show every two years, in alternation with the Seoul Motor Show

Actyon Sports

Ssangyong, Korea's sports vehicle specialist, have released the Actyon Sports (Project code Q-100), a pickup derivative of the Actyon Compact SUV. While Actyon Sports shares multiple body panels with its SUV sibling, due to its different profile, it displays a distinctive personality.

With a fast roof profile, the SUV generates a much sleeker and lighter visual presence, while the pickup derivative displays a heavier, more workmen-like character. The payload area has interchangeable inserts, with choices ranging from a wagon, vinyl, and conventional pickup truck lid. As expected with many of the derivative type of vehicles, overall aesthetic harmony of the passenger area to the payload is left wanting, with details such as the rear fender character line which makes a sharp 90 degree nosedive.

The compact-pickup has a long history in Korean automotive culture, ever since the iconic Hyundai Pony Pickup almost 30 years ago.

Seoul motor show 2005

SsangYong - helped by a cash injection from new majority-shareholder Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation - revealed no less than five concept vehicles, which indicate the design direction the Korean company is taking for its future models, and its upcoming new ranges. The XCT is described as a 4x4-coupe crossover, an off-roader with a rakishly-sloped rear end and a sporty image. The more conventional SV-R hints at a new comfort- and road-oriented 4x4, and the XMT its pick-up truck equivalent. Also on display were the new Chairman limousine - an old-school luxury barge for Far Eastern diplomats, oligarchs and high-ranking officials, kitted out with modern-day technology and communications devices - and the Rodius Limo concept, a show car based on the Rodius MPV but kitted out to function as a mobile office. Besides expanding into China, SsangYong is re-launching in Europe and the UK. We could well see production versions of the XCT, SV-R and XMT over here in the not-too-distant future.

Here's some of what SsangYong displayed:

SsangYong XMT Concept

While the Ssangyong brand may be obscure to many outside Asia, it has built a reputation as a sports off-roader specialist in recent years with models such as the Korando, Musso and Rexton. And at Seoul, three of the four concept vehicles they have showcased are an SUV, crossover, and a pickup derivative.

One of the concepts released at the show is XMT, an SUV-pickup crossover, which was designed to attract the interest of the younger generation wanting to differentiate themselves from others. Using the platform of the highly successful Korando SUV, XMT’s triangular headlamps and large front grille shows toughness and even a slightly ’unrefined’ look to the vehicle. The overall proportion is dominated by large 18inch wheels and even larger tires. However, like the Kia Mesa concept, large wheels don’t necessarily enhance the stance of the vehicle. With sudden surface breaks appearing from nowhere and fading out around the body wide line and the rear fender, the overall impression appears dramatic but a little unrefined.

XCT Concept

Ssangyong Chairman Limousine

Long just got even longer. As one of Korea’s largest and the most prestigous sedans, the Ssangyong Chairman Limousine concept was on display at the show, attracting the most interest not from the Korean domestic press, but of neighboring China. This is due to the fact that ever since the takeover of Ssangyong by the Shanghai Automotive Group, it has been concentrating in developing numerous projects for the Chinese parent company, and it looks as if this concept’s production future will be decided by the level of positive response from SAIG management.

Sitting on an old Mercedes-Benz S-class stretched platform, the interior styling of the Chairman Limousine displays a 'mobile office' interior, with the second row of seats being completely separated from the front row, a wine cooler/stand, dual television screens among numerous options to give the passengers utmost comfort.

Exterior styling is gentle at best, but the concept is much more refined than the normal production version with subtle chrome details enhancing the luxurious feel.

2005 Seoul Rodius

Seoul motor show November 2002

How many of them make it into production is open to debate, despite the promises of president Sun-wong Chon to "step up our efforts to introduce new models and expand our global focus".

Here's some of what SsangYong displayed:

Crossut

A tray-back version of the Musso five-door wagon with a capacity of up to 400kg and length increased by 275mm. Developed over 16 months at a cost of 45 billion Korean won, it was the only new production vehicle SsangYong displayed at Seoul. SsangYong says the Sports is South Korea's first A cross-over concept developed on the same 2755mm wheelbase as the Musso Sports, the Crossut is intended to be part passenger car, part SUV and part MPV. SsangYong says the key to the design is an all-in-one body that combines deck and driver space. Power comes from the company's D29ST turbo-diesel engine.

Hemos

Hemos is a luxury concept developed from the petrol-engined Rexton that allows interior seating to be rearranged to make cabin space more comfortable. There's also an onboard home theatre system that lets occupants play computer games or watch DVDs.

Amao

Perhaps indicating the future design direction of the Korando,the Amao concept is based on the same platform and is powered by the inline sixcylinder petrol engine common throughout the SsangYong line-up.

Prototypes from the Seoul Motor Show (1995):

Solo III Sports car