Live from the event: Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton W launched at Rs.17.57 lakhs

The much awaited Ssangyong Rexton finally makes its Indian debut in Mumbai today. Starting at an aggressive price-tag of Rs. 17.67 Lakhs, the Rexton W is available in two variants – RX5 with a 5-speed manual transmission and RX7 with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Rx7 retails for a premium of Rs. 2 lakh over the manual Rx5, at Rs. 19.67 lakhs. All prices are ex-showroom Mumbai.

Mahindra says it has priced the Rexton almost Rs. 2-lakh cheaper than the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. The pricing however is introductory and may see a hike of Rs. 50-60,000 in the coming months. Mahindra has invested Rs. 63 crore to bring the SsangYong Rexton to India. The SUV is in its third generation of production and will be assembled at Mahindra’s Chakan Plant near Pune by sourcing components from SsangYong Korea and from India. The Rexton comes with a standard 2-years, 1-lakh kilometers warranty, with an extra 1-year 1-lakh kms warranty being offered as an extended option. The current localisation levels for the Rexton stand at 22% and we are told that the company plans to increase its part sourcing from India with time.

SsangYong Rexton W Features –

  • 8-way electrically adjustable adjustable driver’s seat
  • Three memory presets for driver’s seat and ORVM
  • Rain sensing wipers
  • Infotainment system
  • Auto headlamps
  • Centre armrest
  • AC vents and cup holder at rear
  • Projector headlamps with L-shaped parking lights
  • 10-spoke alloy wheels
  • Stainless steel beltline and chrome moulding
  • Turn indicators on ORVMs
  • Chrome grille
  • LED tail lamps
  • Cruise control
  • Auto dimming inside rear view mirror with cup holder
  • Keyless entry
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Speed sensitive power steering with tilt adjustment and audio controls
  • Electrically foldable, adjustable and heated ORVMs
  • Fog lamps with integrated turn indicators
  • Cigarette lights with three 12V power outlets
  • Electric sunroof with sunblind
  • Parking assist
  • Front and side airbags
  • Speed sensing door lock
  • Dual tone beige and black interiors
  • Leather upholstery
  • Leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob
  • Video function (DVD, DivX, MPEG, MPEG2)
  • Navigation system with pre-loaded maps
  • Rear windscreen wash, wipe and defogger

The SsangYong Rexton is powered by a 5-cylinder, 2696 cc diesel engine  and is offered in two state of tunes. The manual Rexton (RX5) produces 162 BHP of peak power @ 4000 RPM and 340 Nm of peak torque  @1800-3250 RPM. Mahindra claims that the Rexton RX5 has a top speed of 180 km/hr, which is quite good for such a heavy vehicle. The manual variant is quite efficient too with an ARAI certified mileage of 12.4 km/l. The automatic Rexton produces 184 BHP of peak-power @4000 RPM and delivers 402 Nm of peak-torque @1600-3000 RPM. This variant of the Rexton has a top speed of 194 km/hr and returns 11.18 km/l mileage as per ARAI regulations.

The Rexton W is available in four colour options – Satin White, Moondust Silver, Volcano Black and Opulent Purple. The Rexton is currently available only in Bombay, NCR (Delhi) & Pune. Peculiar “limited introduction” strategy by Mahindra as the engine is being fully imported from Korea at the moment. Perhaps the carmaker wants to gauge the initial response before deciding on local assembly. Then again, the XUV 500, Mahindra’s home-grown premium offering was launched in a similar, phased manner.