Ssangyong Rexton R-Line Special Edition : REXTON IN FIRST CLASS

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SsangYong has added a custom-built model to its Rexton range. Steve Ghosley takes a look.

This customised version of the Rexton was first seen at the 2008 British International Motor Show and was so well received by visitors to the SsangYong stand that the marque's UK distributors had no hesitation in adding this upmarket model to its range. The car is the work of the celebrated designer, Afzal Khan who has an international reputation for creating bespoke works of art using traditional techniques and the finest materials. The R-Line is built in the UK at Project Khan's Bradford works and is based on the standard Rexton 270 SPR which was already a well-equipped car before Mr Khan applied his magic.

So what do you get for the £29,995 price tag? The most obvious visual clue is the Khan Design 22-inch RST alloy wheels which, with the lowered sports suspension, give the Rexton a much more purposeful look and immediately set it apart from the other models in the range. Add to this the distinctive black paintwork and the Khan Design sports exhaust and the R-Line starts to look like a vehicle that would not be out of place in the car park of a Premiership football club's training ground. Inside, the Rexton R-Line features a high quality black nappa leather and soft Alcantara interior which is highlighted by red stitching. This exquisite upholstery extends to the seats, door panels and centre console, emphasising the exclusive nature of this vehicle. Much of this car's underpinnings are carried over from the original Rexton, which means a tough chassis with double wishbone front suspension, a multi-link rear and rugged all-wheel drive. This Rexton is powered by a 2.7-litre turbo diesel engine delivering 184bhp and 402Nm of torque at just 2,400rpm. Although this powerplant does feature third generation common rail fuel injection, it's not the sort of engine that would have you pulling up to a pump and reach for the green nozzle by mistake. Standard equipment includes climate control, electronic stability programme (ESP) with active rollover protection (ARP), hill descent control (HDC), ABS, parking sensors, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, side airbags, electric folding door mirrors and heated seats. The only thing the R-Line doesn't have as standard is an audio system, because we're told that R-Line customers are likely to want to specify their own choice of premium sound system. A rear spoiler and Kenwood touch-screen navigation system are the only other options, but if a customer prefers a different exterior paint and interior leather colour combination, anything's possible.

"â€¦ exquisite upholstery extends to the seats, door panels and centre console enhancing the exclusive nature of this vehicle."

Driveability of this large 4x4 has been improved courtesy of a `manual' shift facility via a thumb switch on the gear lever or buttons on the steering wheel that marshal the Mercedes-Benz-sourced five-speed automatic gearbox. This means that the driver will be able to make the most of the torque on offer without the gearbox changing up and down at inopportune moments. This Rexton will also happily tow up to 3.2 metric tons - enough for most caravan enthusiasts, boat and horse owners. In normal running, the 4x4 system defaults to rear wheel drive operation but the push of a button forces the Borg Warner transfer case to engage either high range four-wheel drive for when things get a little slippery or low-range four-wheel drive for those occasions when you really need to lug yourself out of a spot. When in all-wheel drive mode, a vacuum actuator serves to lock all the wheel hubs automatically, further boosting traction. The SsangYong's cabin is well insulated from engine noise as the VM-sourced engine isn't the quietest diesel unit when you lift the bonnet. From the driver's seat, it's reduced to a muted rumble and offers good torque, although you need a heavy right foot from standstill when accelerating onto roundabouts or out of T-junctions. It'll top out at 121mph and return an average fuel economy figure of 30.7mph. Although this vehicle isn't designed to be mercilessly flogged off the line, should you see fit to do so, it'll even crack 60mph in a respectable 13.2 seconds. The Rexton is built around a proper industrial strength ladder-framed chassis construction. Although immensely strong, most rivals have abandoned this architecture in favour of monocoque chassis structures that give a more car-like drive. Given this Rexton's luxury pretensions, it seems a trifle odd that it uses this he-man set up but the upside is that it feels almost indestructible when taken off road and the wheel articulation will get you out of many a tight spot. It's ride on tarmac isn't the smoothest but if you need a 4x4 that looks good but can still walk the walk when the going gets tough, the Rexton is a good value bet. The R-Line certainly turned enough heads at the British Motor Show to convince the distributors to add it to the Rexton's line up. It will find it tough going picking off sales from mainstream rivals but what it does, it does very well. Tried and tested mechanicals and solid practicality go some way to countering its lack of badge credibility. Having said that, there are few custom-built cars available these days for the price of a Rexton R-Line.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: SsangYong Rexton R-Line Special Edition
PRICES: £29,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 233g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 121mph / 0-60mph 13.2s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 25mpg / (extra urban) 35.3mpg / (combined) 30.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS with ABD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4720/1870/1760mm