KG Mobility (hereafter KGM) explicitly called the Musso (MUSSO) a bona fide pickup. Even though one of the two trims emphasizes an urban model. KGM had good reason for that. It has experience steadily building a history by pioneering the pickup truck segment, which had been virtually barren in Korea. That experience showed through in the internal combustion–engine Musso's design under the name "authentic."
KGM held a media preview at the KGM Experience Center in Ilsan for two days starting on the 29th and unveiled the new pickup Musso (MUSSO) for the first time. KGM announced in January that it would consolidate its flagship brand under Musso, and in March it launched the battery-electric pickup Musso EV.
The flagship unified brand Musso was finally completed with the addition of the internal combustion model. The official launch of the internal combustion Musso is scheduled for Jan.
With the internal combustion Musso reborn in a completely new design, the powertrain also received some changes. It adopts a 2.0 gasoline turbo engine and an Aisin 8-speed transmission. The engine itself is not newly developed. With electrification ahead, the industry trend lately has been not to invest heavily in engine development. Instead, the 2.0 gasoline turbo that had until now been fitted only to export models abroad has begun to be offered in domestically released models. This was a decision to respond to changing market trends. The adoption of the 8-speed transmission follows the same line.
The pickup truck heritage that KGM (including Ssangyong) emphasizes dates back to 2002.
The new Musso inherits the heritage of the Musso Sports (2002), Korea's first SUT (Sports Utility Truck). KGM boldly attached the epithet "original-style pickup" to this vehicle.
The new Musso comes in two trims. It will be released in two versions: Musso, focused on off-road, and Musso grand style, focused on urban use.
The two models differ in front-end design, powertrain, deck and suspension. Even the minimum ground clearance differs (Musso 245 mm, Musso grand style 225 mm), resulting in differences in approach and departure angles. It would not be an exaggeration to say they are essentially two completely different vehicles for off-road and urban use.
KGM called this strategy a "multi lineup." It said the configuration allows customers to choose according to their lifestyle and intended use.
A KGM official said Musso was reborn as a robust and dynamic pickup that maintains the pickup's inherent toughness while combining modern technology and convenience, and added that offering a variety of choices to meet customer needs would provide broad practicality from leisure to business.
▲'Musso' is majestic and "Musso grand style" is refined
Musso completed the dynamic and solid image of an orthodox pickup based on KGM's design philosophy "Powered by Toughness." The imposing and sturdy body, combined with simple yet striking graphic elements, reinterpret the original pickup in a modern way.
The front applies a horizontal LED center positioning lamp composed of thick DRL lines and kinetic lighting blocks to give a clear and strong impression. The square-type bumper and radiator grille emphasize the authentic off-road pickup image, and the three-dimensional headlamps further accentuate the front's rugged impression.
The side completes a dynamic image with a side character line that continues along the front and rear fenders and with volume. The wheel arch garnish applies a reflector shaped like a mountain peak to create KGM pickup's signature design.
The rear reveals a grand and bold presence through a tailgate garnish engraved with large KGM lettering and unique full LED rear combi lamps. Corner steps are provided under the rear bumper to enhance convenience.
The grand style, which emphasizes an urban image, adopts an urban design concept that dominates the city. It emphasizes a more majestic and refined image with a dedicated front bumper and radiator grille and LED fog lamps.
The front radiator grille and bumper that extend long and wide to the lower part realize differentiated grandeur and a premium feel. The black metallic front skid plate gives a solid, sturdy impression, and the vertical LED fog lamps that extend to the lower part of the bumper support cornering lamp functions to secure driving safety.
The interior design was conceived to allow intuitive and stable operation even in dynamic driving environments, taking into account pickup drivers' ease of movement and operational convenience.
The 12.3-inch digital cluster and KGM Link navigation deliver various driving information with high visibility, and the adoption of an electronic shift lever (SBW) and electronic parking brake (EPB) increases center console space utilization and operational efficiency. The LCD dial-type dual-zone full-auto air conditioner allows intuitive operation to improve usability. In addition, the suede quilting material IP panel, new tricot sun visor (including sliding function), and ambient lighting complete a luxurious interior atmosphere.
Exterior colors are offered in seven options: Smoke Tope, Grand White, Sandstone Beige, Amazonia Green, Marble Gray, Ultramarine and Space Black, and interior colors can be chosen between brown and black.
▲What is the 2.0 gasoline turbo like?
Musso operates two types of powertrains, diesel and gasoline, to respond to various driving environments.
The diesel 2.2 LET engine combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission delivers a maximum output of 202 horsepower and maximum torque of 45.0 kg·m. The gasoline 2.0 turbo engine paired with an Aisin 8-speed automatic transmission provides a maximum output of 217 horsepower and maximum torque of 38.7 kg·m. The diesel powertrain is a familiar configuration to domestic consumers, but the gasoline powertrain is unfamiliar. It will be interesting to see what it feels like in the media test drive.
A 5-link suspension is standard to ensure stable driving performance and excellent ride comfort, and long-deck models can choose a leaf suspension with high load-bearing capacity.
It is also equipped with a four-wheel-drive (4WD) system designed for off-road driving environments, a locking differential (LD) to help escape rough terrain, and a Clear Site View (CSV) function to achieve stable and reliable driving performance even in severe conditions such as bad weather. It has a towing capacity of up to 3.0 tons, and the trailer sway control function activates during towing to enhance stability.
▲SUV-level convenience features equipped
Musso is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including intelligent adaptive cruise control (IACC) and intelligent speed warning, offering top-level pre- and post-safety systems to protect drivers and passengers in various driving environments.
In addition, state-of-the-art safety features have been applied, including emergency brake assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, center lane keep assist, lane change warning, smart high beam, lead-vehicle departure warning, safe distance warning, reverse collision-avoidance assist, rear-side collision-avoidance assist, rear-side collision-avoidance warning, reverse collision-avoidance warning and safe exit warning.
It also comes with SUV-level premium convenience features to provide broad driving convenience.
It strengthened product competitiveness by applying many popular convenience features such as a 3D around-view monitoring system, over-the-air (OTA) wireless software updates, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, smartphone wireless charger, C-type USB ports (one charge port in the first row/data & charge one port, two charge ports in the second row), smart key system, hood latch two-motion system △driver's 8-way power seat & power 2-way lumbar support, front passenger 6-way power seat and more.
The deck is offered in two types, long deck and standard deck, so it can be chosen according to uses such as business and leisure.
The long deck secures a loading space of length 1,610 mm, width 1,570 mm and height 570 mm, and with a cargo volume of 1,262 liters (VDA standard) maximizes usability in various work environments such as business and bulk loading.
The standard deck has a loading space of length 1,300 mm, width 1,570 mm and height 570 mm, providing a cargo volume of 1,011 liters (VDA standard) and practical usability suitable for daily driving and leisure activities.
The standard deck comes standard with a 5-link suspension and can carry up to 400 kg, while the long deck's payload is up to 700 kg with power leaf suspension and up to 500 kg with 5-link suspension.
The tailgate uses an electronic switch to enhance luxury and usability, and the new LED deck lamp is designed so cargo can be checked easily at night or in bad weather. Eight hooks placed on the top and bottom of the deck strengthen cargo securing and tying convenience.
In addition, various customization options that increase deck usability—such as deck tops (hard top, coupe top), roll bar, sliding bed, fixed side step, off-road side step and door lower garnish—are offered so buyers can style according to preference and purpose.
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