SsangYong's Successor Transforms Musso Into a Pickup Brand | Carscoops

      The first offering from the new sub-brand will be the KGM Musso EV, which is scheduled to be released in Korea later this year.

      KG Mobility of Korea is transforming the SsangYong Musso into a specific pickup sub-brand.

      The Musso EV is expected to launch in South Korea in the first quarter of 2025, with additional markets to follow.

      This electric vehicle will be accompanied by a pickup featuring an internal combustion engine, which will have a more robust design.

      Formerly known as SsangYong, KG Mobility has created a sub-brand for its upcoming pickup models called Musso. The inaugural vehicle in this lineup is the KGM Musso EV, which shares a resemblance with the O300 Concept from 2023. This electric pickup will be succeeded by a version powered by an internal combustion engine, as indicated by official sketches.

      KG Mobility has only released the side profile of the pickup ahead of its market debut. Fortunately, real-life images from its first public showing at a Korean festival were shared on Autospy. These images indicate that the production model retains much of the concept’s design, with only minor adjustments like smaller wheels.

      At the front, the slim LED headlights, hood, and fenders closely mirror those of the Torres EVX SUV. However, the bumper and fender extensions have been reworked, along with a distinctive rear end that is better suited for the dual-cab pickup design. KG Mobility has mentioned that the pickup will have various customizable styles, with the inaugural model featuring a roof rack.

      The Musso EV shares its platform with the Torres EVX and Actyon SUVs, but it has a longer wheelbase and extended rear overhang to accommodate the pickup format. While the previously mentioned models are front-wheel drive only, the Musso EV will include an all-wheel-drive variant, likely powered by dual electric motors.

      The new pickup is expected to debut in Korea in the first quarter of 2025, with plans to expand into markets such as the UK and Australia afterwards.

      In addition to the KGM Musso EV, KG Mobility has released teaser sketches of a gasoline-powered Musso pickup that will also be included in the lineup. Although the electric and ICE versions of the Torres are quite similar in appearance, the Musso ICE version appears to take a different design route.

      The pickup has the proportions of a midsize truck with a rugged yet contemporary style. The LED headlights are similar to those on the Ford F-150, while the front features a large grille and skid plate. The rear showcases dual exhausts, indicating that it has an internal combustion engine under the hood. One of the sketches even depicts the truck as an overlanding camper.

      Details about the ICE version are limited, with no official launch date announced yet. However, since the current Musso and Rexton Sports are expected to cease production in 2025, this new model may be introduced as a successor around 2026.

      A Brief Historical Overview

      The original SsangYong Musso was launched in 1993 as an SUV powered by a Mercedes engine. The name “Musso” is derived from the Korean word for rhinoceros.

      In 2002, it led to the creation of a dual-cab pickup variant called the SsangYong Musso Sports. This was followed by the Action Sports (2006), the Korando Sports (2012), and the Rexton Sports (2018), which adopted the Musso name in markets outside of Korea.

      KG Mobility asserts that the new Musso lineup aims to uphold the legacy of its predecessors, catering to both “daily needs and leisure” activities. A representative from the company hinted that more Musso variants are being developed, stating, “We will continue the Musso tradition by creating and expanding a diverse portfolio of pickup lineups in the future.”