Better look, for future SsangYong SUV.

There was a time, when the SsangYong Musso, threatened to become an alternative to mainstream luxury off-road vehicles.

It hada Mercedes-Benz drivetrain, and that gave it an advantage, in principle, over its Japanese rivals. Over time, SsangYong has not prevailed, but that has not kept it from trying.

The forgotten Korean brandis now preparing to launch a new SUV in 2022. This will be the fulfilment of SsangYong’s J100 project.

And yes, that codename is peculiarly similar to the Land Rover DC100 concept, which eventually became the new-generation Defender.

SsangYong is desperate to regain market share in the SUV market, where it has legacy, but has not converted that to profits, even as the segment has boomed.

From the concept sketches, it is clear, that this new J100 vehicle will be dramatically styled. Whenever the idea of adventurous design and SsangYong is mentioned in the same sentence, there is the risk of things going awry – illustrated by vehicles such as the Stavic, Rodius and Kyron.

The J100 isn’t going to be a shock and awe design job. SsangYong has clearly been influenced by Land Rover, in its ambitions with the J100.

Although the grille is recognisably SsangYong, those slim headlamps are very similar in profile and execution to the Evoque.

Extended wheel arches indicate a wider rear track and what looks like a side-hinged swing tailgate, instead of a lift-back configuration for the cargo area.

The Land Rover influence is telling in the rear of this J100, too, with its taillights reminiscent of the current Range Rover Vogue.

SsangYong has not committed to any details about powertrain, but if the engineering team can render this J100 concept to reality, without going all Actyon on it, this could be a potentially successful SsangYong.

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