Korando

The Korando project started as an idea in the early '90s, founded on the historic lines of the famous Willys Jeep from World War II and immortalised even today in re-runs of the t.v. series M.A.S.H.

Professor Ken Greenley, the Director of Design for SsangYong and Course Director of Transportation Design in the School of Design for Industry at London's Royal College of Art takes up the story.

"We kick-started the design process coincidentally 50 years after the introduction of possibly the world's most recognisable vehicle, the original American Army Jeep," said Ken.

"The design logic of the original Jeep has stood the test of time and it was certainly an appropriate time to re-interpret those design values.

"But the products of a young modern automotive manufacturer should not be retrospective. The Daewoo Korando has been designed as an off road 4x4 appropriate in context to contemporary requirements and state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies," he added.

Ken's links with SsangYong go back to the days of Panther Cars in Britain where, as a consultant, he helped design the widely acclaimed mid-engined Panther Solo. The Panther Car Co was eventually sold to SsangYong in 1998, so establishing Greenley's association with the Korean company.

Born in Wallsend on Tyneside, Ken studied at Newcastle College of Art. His career began in 1965 at General Motors where he worked as an automotive designer for Vauxhall in Luton. When he left in 1981 he was Design Manager and a core member of the Product Strategy Group.

Since those early days Ken has worked in various design capacities at the Royal College of Art at the same time working as a design consultant for clients such as Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Land Rover and of course Panther. Ken has also designed various concept cars including the "W" car coupe previewed at the Seoul Motor Show in April last year.

The name Korando comes from the production by SsangYong for many years of a licensed version of the AMC Jeep for the Korean domestic market. Prototypes of the new model were codenamed KJ and that quickly became known within the company as standing for Ken's Jeep.

Although other names such as Stampede were considered for the KJ, the history of the name Korando and its excellent acceptance in the Korean market ensured it was retained for the new model.

The aggressive three-door styling offers an unusually spacious interior for 4x4s in the mid-range segment. While similar in size externally to the SWB Pajero and Nissan Terrano II, the Korando has a wider track and longer wheelbase and boasts spacious five-seat accommodation with a rear shoulder width of 1400mm.

Designed to appeal to style conscious drivers, the Korando has a rugged separate chassis, long travel suspension, shift-on-the-fly four wheel drive and the most sophisticated Multiplex electronic control systems for traction, handling, power transmission and braking control of any model in the mid-range sector.

Departure angles of 29 degrees (front) and 35 degrees (rear) plus a minimum ground clearance of 195mm, ground clearance between axles of 220mm and a ramp angle of 26 degrees enable this highly capable off roader to cope easily with gradients of up to 40.3 degrees. The low ratio is 2.43:1.

Korando's frontal treatment features circular inset headlamps with strip indicators that sweep under the front wings to create a strong visual identity. The one-piece front bumper also includes a spoiler, while the rear door and tail lamp treatment is clean and simple; allowing good access via a side hinged rear door.