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The new SsangYong Musso pick-up has been revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Korean marque’s rugged new pick-up has a body-on-frame assembly and is built on the same platform as their current Rexton – which won our 4×4 Of The Year title.

It also has SsangYong’s e-XDi220 2.2-litre diesel with 181bhp and 309lbf.ft – that has already impressed us in the Rexton and the smaller Korando. It gets the choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, and part-time all-wheel drive comes as standard. So too does high and low ratio boxes, promising off-road prowess akin to that of the Rexton.

Eight-point body mounts and wheel-arch linings are in place to add sophistication to the pick-up, making the cabin quieter and more comfortable. Bluetooth and DAB radio are present across the range, whilst an 8″ infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wi-fi mirroring are available on higher spec models.

The pick-up bed is sized to carry a Euro pallet, and houses 12V/120W power outlets, plus rotating hooks to help when strapping cargo down.

The manual can tow a braked trailer of 2,800kg, whilst the automatic can tow 200kg more, and both can haul an unbraked trailer of 750kg.

Specifications for the UK are yet to be announced, but the new Musso is expected to go on sale this summer.

 

Mercedes-Benz recently released the X-Class pickup, and not long afterwards a few adventure themed concepts. They’ve announced they are now updating the range with a new engine – and permanent all-wheel drive – and will debut the model next week at the Geneva Motor Show.

The X350d utilises a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel, that’s good for 258bhp and 368lbf.ft, and does 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds. A seven-speed automatic gearbox comes as standard, with paddle controls behind the wheel, as does stop-start functionality. Off-road transmission mode is featured alongside comfort, eco, sport and manual gearbox settings.

The 4matic all-wheel drive system has a low-range box and a two-stage transfer case, and distributes the power with a 60:40 bias in favour of the rear axle.

The X350d will come with two trim options, including the range-topping Power No pricing has been announced for the UK yet, but is expected to follow after the debut in Switzerland, given that it will be available from the middle of 2018.

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VW have launched a limited edition Amarok with a bad-boy image. The Dark Label pick-up is based on the top of the range Highline trim and, in true Lego Batman style, everything is black – or very, very dark grey.

Most exterior trimmings have been given a gothic makeover, including the 18” alloys and the rear bumper. Three shades of dark paint are on offer, along with three different finishes. Carbon Steel is the metallic option, alongside Deep Black pearl and matte Indium Grey.

It’s inside the Dark Label Amarok where it cements itself as one of the highest spec iterations of the pick-up, with alcantara seats, black headlining and floor mats connoting the design. VW’s Discover Media touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard, as does voice control functionality. Standard driver aids are aplenty, with automatic wipers and headlights, heated mirrors and safety features all fixed on the Dark Label.

Orders are now open, close in April and are limited to 200 units, with prices starting at £33,650.

 

Erste Reisemobilkonzepte auf Mercedes-Benz X-Klasse Basis: Absetzkabine von Tischer First camper van concepts on Mercedes-Benz X-Class base: demountable cabine by Tischer

Shortly after the launch of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, the German manufacturer debuted two new concepts for its new pick-up at the CMT Show in Stuttgart. Coming just two months after the production model was revealed, the concepts are a camper van conversion and a flatbed that’s home to a fully-fledged kitchen.

On the Merc stand, alongside three examples of the company’s Marco Polo family, were concept offerings from Tischer and VanEssa Mobilcamping.

The Tischer offering, which admittedly looks like a caravan, consists of a demountable cabin that houses a host of features. With just shy of two metres’ headroom, there’s space for a sleeping area, a kitchen with a three-burner stove, a trio of seats and an on-board bathroom.

Erste Reisemobilkonzepte auf Mercedes-Benz X-Klasse Basis: Umbaukonzept mit integrierter Systemküche von VanEssa mobilcamping First camper van concepts on Mercedes-Benz X-Class base: conversion concept with integrated kitchen by VanEssa mobilcamping

In more modest fashion, the VanEssa concept merely adds kitchen facilities to the pick-up bed. However, the heavy-duty pull-out weighs 250kg and is secured beneath a yacht-esque teak wooden covering. While there are rails to which a roof tent could be mounted, this concept is in essence just the kitchen. But that does include a cool box, cooking and washing facilities and storage space for crockery and utensils.

The concepts show that already minds are ticking, as the aftermarket looks to tinker with the X-Class. Could the self-proclaimed world’s first premium truck also herald a new era of luxury overland travel?

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