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SsangYong & Daewoo Musso

The Musso was introduced to Australia in 1997 by Mercedes Benz. The very first ones had a Mercedes emblem on the back and the SsangYong logo at the front. Sales were doing very well as it was seen as a very effordable 'Mercedes', with although not completely Mercedes build quality, the engine and gear box were.

In December 1997, Daewoo purchased over 50% of SsangYong. Musso drivers were not particularly impressed, as Daewoo especially then was not seen as elite as Mercedes. In April 1998 a Face lift Musso was introduced with the Daewoo brand on the back, but the SsangYong logo still on the front.

How do I recognise the difference?

SsangYong Musso Separate indicator and headlight. Straight lines color coded grille. Side sills and big wheel arches.	Daewoo Musso ('98 Face lift) One light assembly for indicator and headlight. Curved chrome grille.
There have been significant changes to the exterior styling including the front hood, radiator grille, headlamps/turn signal lamps, side garnish, tail gate garnish, rear bumper, rear combination lamp, wheel arch molding and side sill molding.

VIN Numbers
The Vehicle Identification Number for the Musso and Korando is located to the left of the engine compartment rear end, and stamped on the front RH side of the frame number

Musso and Korando engine variants:

Musso 2.3 DOHC Petrol 1997 Specs:
DOHC Multi Valve 2.295 Litre, 104kw @ 5,400 PRM, 220NM @ 3,800 RPM
All versions Alloy wheels, part time 4WD
Version 1: 5 speed manual
Version 2: 4 speed automatic (from late October1997)
Version 3: ABS, Leather steering wheel, woodgrain

Musso 3.2 Petrol 1997:
6 Cylinder multi valve Petrol 3199 cm2, 161kw @ 5500 rpm, 310nm @ 3750 rpm
All versions ABS, Woodgrain, full time 4WD
Version 2: ABS, 5 speed Manual transmission
Version 3: 4 speed automatic, Alloy wheels, Cruise control
Version 5: Remote keyless entry, Sunroof

Musso Diesel 1997:
5 Cylinder diesel 2.874 Ltr, 70kw @ 4000 rpm, 182 nm @ 2500 rpm
All versions part time 4WD
Version1: 5 speed manual
Version2: 4 speed automatic, alloy wheels
Version3: ABS, Remote keyless entry, woodgrain

Deawoo Musso Launch press release

Daewoo Automotive Australia (DAA) today unveiled its newest entrant into the Australian market the Daewoo Musso four-wheel-drive.

With German engineering under the bonnet the 1998 model year Musso not only boasts excellent all terrain capability, luxury and power, but high levels of standard equipment, interior and exterior refinements and extremely competitive pricing.

And like the Company's highly successful passenger vehicle line-up, the new Daewoo Musso will be backed by DAA's ground breaking Free Care initiative a three-year/ 100,000 kilometre free servicing program, saving owners thousands of dollars.

The highly fashionable Musso represents the first of two 4WD entrants to be distributed by Daewoo in Australia this year, with the short wheel base (SWB) Korando being launched by Daewoo in the final quarter of 1998.

Both the Musso and Korando will be sold and serviced by more than 140 Daewoo dealer locations nationwide after taking over distribution rights from Mercedes Benz Australia.

Model Range

The Daewoo Musso 4WD comes to Australia in four variants.

Customers will have the choice between two exceptional power plants a 2.9 litre turbo diesel or a 3.2 litre petrol engine both of which benefit from German engineering and technology.

Both engines are mated to either an advanced four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission each optimized for superb on and off-road performance.

Design

In a field of look-alikes, Musso's bold, distinctive and confident image stands out. The deliberate award winning lines were penned by Ken Greenley Course Director of Transportation Design at London's Royal College of Art.

Ken Greenley's highly regarded reputation in the vehicle industry is confirmed when you consider his other design milestones such as the Bentley Continental R, Bentley Azure and the Aston Martin Virage.

The design gives the Musso a more car-like appearance, with a lower centre of gravity for safer road holding, while at the same time affording passengers ease of entry and exit from the vehicle.

The low bonnet and front window line allows for excellent forward visibility. The rear seats have also been raised, allowing better passenger visibility in the back.

Inside, the Musso is spacious with room and seating for up to seven passengers to travel in comfort. A touch of newness can also be found inside the '98 Musso including changes to seats, the central fascia and steering wheel.

For added convenience on long distance trips the Musso offers 1,920 litres of cargo space with the split rear seat folded down.

The seating is supportive with generous leg and headroom for driver and passengers alike.

The entire instrumentation and control layout is ergonomic in design with finger precision controls and a dash mounted 4WD selector for ease of operation.

The Musso's design also gives it a very good Drag Coefficient of 0.42.

Equipment Levels

In line with Daewoo's value added strategy the Musso in both petrol and diesel variants boast high levels of standard equipment.

Both come with climate control air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, driver's airbag, CD player, 4 wheel disc brakes, independent front suspension and a Limited Slip Differential (LSD).

Central locking, engine immobilizer, auto antenna, adjustable steering, heated exterior mirrors, cup holders, vanity mirror, slip rear seat (with recline) and a rear spoiler also make up part of the standard package.

Both petrol variants also come with a state-of-the-art full time 4WD system and a six-speaker stereo system.

4WD System

The 4WD systems offered on both petrol and diesel models represents up-to-the-minute all-terrain technology with LSD now as standard equipment.

There are two exceptional 4WD systems on the Daewoo Musso part-time 4WD on all diesel models and full-time 4WD on all petrol models.

The viscous centre coupling controls slippage between the front and rear shafts. A planetary-gear transfer case is mounted behind the transmission.

During normal driving the planetary gear set sends 65% of engine torque to the rear wheels and 35% to the front wheels.

If the wheels on one axle begin to lose traction and spin, the viscous coupling locks. This sends the torque to the other axle. Operation of the full-time 4WD system is therefore automatic.

In essence this sophisticated system distributes and constantly varies power to the axle with the most grip, enhancing off-road traction, reducing on-road understeer and boosting handling agility and steering precision.

The part-time 4WD option on diesel models can be engaged simply by turning the dash mounted dial while travelling at speeds up to 70 km/h.

Both models offer 4WD low range for maximum power and traction in extreme off-road conditions.

Engine

Beneath the bonnet of every Musso beats the heart of a Mercedes-Benz licensed engine giving both diesel and petrol models supreme refinement and durability.

The petrol model is powered by a Mercedes-Benz designed 3.2 litre 6 cylinder in-line engine with four valves per cylinder and twin camshafts producing 161 kW @ 5400rpm and 310 Nm @ 3750rpm making the Musso the most powerful 4WD in the mid-sized all-terrain segment.

The petrol engine offers exceptionally low emissions and fuel consumption, low operating costs, a high standard of reliability and class leading power and torque outputs.

All diesel variants in Australia are fitted with a Mercedes-Benz licensed turbocharged 2.9 litre 5 cylinder in-line OHC engine producing 88 kW @ 4000rpm and 250 Nm @ 2550rpm.

To help preserve the environment the very latest diesel technology has been applied to create an impressively clean burning diesel with dramatic reductions in emissions.

Towing capacity on Petrol versions is 3500kg braked and 750kg unbraked while the diesel is 2800kg braked and 750kg unbraked, however local laws do apply.

Road Handling

The Daewoo Musso's traditional car-like low centre of gravity, revised suspension and braking packages means better and safer road handling characteristics on the '98 model year version.

Equipped with 195mm of ground clearance, stabiliser bars and gas shocks, Musso's double wishbone suspension in the front and 5-link coil spring rear suspension contribute to superb levels of ride comfort and off-road agility.

Anti-roll, anti-squat and anti-dive technology adds to the Musso's sophisticated handling characteristics. Shock ratings and spring ratings have also been upgraded on the Musso.

Both diesel and petrol models have ventilated disc brakes in the front wheels and solid disc brakes in the rear.

Both models are also fitted with a 'Load Conscious Reducing valve.' Depending on load the Daewoo Musso can redistribute its braking split to anything up to 75% in the front and down to 25% in the rear for added safety.

The Musso comes standard with power assisted rack and pinion steering and a direct 3.1 turns lock to lock. The end result is a lighter, more responsive directional steering system.

The Musso was designed using advanced computer-aided structural analysis to protect the lives of its occupants.

A driver's side electronic SRS-40 airbag, front and rear crumple zones, and side intrusion bars all meet or pass Australian safety standards.

To minimize the danger from a rear end collision the Musso's high-density polyethylene fuel tank has also been mounted in front of the rear axle.

Pricing

Daewoo's pricing on all Musso models represents great value for money, particularly when specification levels and Free Care are taken into account.

Free Care Daewoo's ground breaking customer care plan pays the costs of all scheduled servicing for the duration of Musso's warranty period which is 3 years or 100,000 kilometres, saving customers thousands of dollars.

The price of a Musso also includes dealer delivery charges, all charges for scheduled servicing and 24-Hour national roadside assistance including an overnight courtesy vehicle.