Ssangyong expands it's network with Desira (I have some stories about them) taking on the franchise in Norwich.

• Desira Group Plc is delighted to join the SsangYong network
• Five model range all backed by a 5 year limitless mileage warranty

The SsangYong range of 4x4s and SUVs is now available in Norwich and the surrounding area, following the appointment of Desira Group Plc in Norwich.

Desira will operate the SsangYong franchise from its dealership at Wroxham Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR7 8RL.

Welcoming the company to the network, Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK said: “We and our dealers are focused on giving customers great service, so whether buying a new or used SsangYong, choosing accessories or helping to maintain their car in the years ahead, we are confident customers will appreciate the car, their dealer and the brand.”

Stuart Stone, managing director, for Desira said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to represent SsangYong and greatly look forward to playing our part in its continuing success.  SsangYong has a great range, and with very competitive pricing and a 5 year limitless mileage warranty on every car, we believe it will do extremely well in our area.”

SsangYong UK model line-up

Tivoli - Strong on style, this contemporary all new B-segment SUV offers a comprehensive specification and sector-leading prices from just £12,950.

There are three trim levels - SE, EX, ELX, the choice of Euro 6 1.6 litre petrol or diesel engines, 6 speed manual, 6 speed Aisin automatic transmission, front wheel drive or intelligent 4x4.

A high level of safety is assured with seven airbags across the range, a wide choice of colours and stylish interior trims, plus the My Tivoli personalisation programme.  And it’s backed by a class leading 5 year limitless mileage warranty.

The Tivoli SE is available with a choice of a 1.6 litre petrol or diesel engine with manual transmission.  Finished in a smart grey cloth trim, it includes 16” alloy wheels, cruise control, a stop/go system (petrol), Smart steering (normal, comfort and sport modes), an RDS/Bluetooth radio and seven airbags.

The EX adds the option of automatic transmission on the petrol powered car, grey or beige leather upholstery, 18” alloy Spiral wheels, dual zone climate control, 7” touch screen smart audio system with rear view camera, heated front seats, front fog lights and a luggage load cover.

Step up to the top of the range ELX, and you get the full choice of petrol, diesel, manual and automatic transmission, front wheel drive or 4x4.  It also features Diamond cut alloy wheels, a smart instrument cluster, smart keyless starting, front & rear parking sensors, privacy glass, rear spoiler, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, full TomTom navigation system with 7” touch screen, rear view camera, and the option of the Styling pack and Red leather pack via the My Tivoli personalisation programme.

Korando - With prices starting from just £15,995 and backed by SsangYong’s comprehensive warranty, the Korando sets a new benchmark of affordability in the rapidly growing compact crossover segment.  With SsangYong’s hallmark competitive pricing and comprehensive specification, the new Korando is pitched to significantly undercut its competitors.

Designed for Europe in Italy by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design, the SsangYong Korando offers a highly contemporary look.

Powered by a 2.2 litre Euro 6 diesel engine delivering excellent fuel economy and impressive 139g/km CO₂emissions, the new 178ps diesel engine and torque of 400Nm makes Korando one of the most powerful in its class.  With the choice of two wheel drive or four wheel drive and a two tonne towing capacity, Korando offers the practicality of a 4x4/SUV, the accessibility of a family hatchback, and the capability to go from muddy campsite to urban school run.

There are three models available, with the option of 6-speed manual and 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission.

Rexton - The Rexton is SsangYong’s flagship sport utility vehicle (SUV), and is greatly enhanced for 2016 with the addition of an upgraded Euro 6 compliant powertrain.

In addition to the new 2.2 litre Euro 6 diesel engine, Rexton also gets the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or new Mercedes-Benz 7-speed automatic.

Built on a steel ladder chassis and with a 3 tonne towing capacity*, the 2016 SsangYong Rexton is a serious off-roader and tow-car, yet with all the equipment and creature comforts expected of an urban cruiser.

Noted for being extremely capable off-road, the Rexton uses a body on frame construction for maximum strength. It features double wishbone and coil spring suspension to the front, and a five link rigid axle with coil springs at the rear, while the EX automatic and ELX feature multi-link rear suspension for an even more comfortable ride.

With either the 6-speed manual or 7-speed Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission, the driver can select low range when going off road which splits the torque equally between the front and rear axles to provide all round traction, and ensures optimum grip across the most challenging terrain.

Available with either five or seven seats, the Rexton range is comprehensively equipped with the range topping ELX featuring a luxurious beige/grey leather interior, new multi-function leather covered steering wheel, distinctive 18” Diamond cut alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, auto-dipping rear view mirror, heated rear seats and Sat Nav.

With prices starting from only £22,995, the 2016 Rexton 2.2 has an almost unrivalled position in the 4x4 sector.

Korando Sports pick-up - Now with a one-tonne payload, the Korando Sports brings a new level of refinement to the market place, blending the suspension, engine and cabin finesse of a passenger car, the silhouette, space and seating for five that’s typical of a double cab, and the rugged workmanlike ability of a commercial pick-up.

This new car will appeal to those who need a working vehicle, the practicality of 4 wheel drive, the towing capability to haul up to 2.7 tonnes yet also the appointments of a family car.  Whether towing a work trailer or horsebox, ferrying the crew to site or the children to school, Korando Sports will meet a range of different demands.

Priced keenly from just £14,995 (ex VAT) the car is comprehensively equipped so you not only get a lot of vehicle for the money, but also a 5 year limitless mileage warranty.

There are two models to choose from. The SX is extremely well appointed and comes equipped with 16” alloy wheels, tinted glass, air conditioning, leather covered steering wheel, remote central locking, MP3 CD & RDS radio with a USB & auxiliary port and Bluetooth connectivity.  The EX features the luxury touch of leather upholstery with heated front seats, powered driver’s seat, heated, electrically adjustable and power folding door mirrors and rear parking sensors.  6 speed automatic transmission with cruise control is also available as an option.  All models now feature speed sensitive steering, and there’s a choice of tops available as accessories from just £1,655 (inc vat).

Korando Sports is powered by SsangYong’s latest e-XDi diesel engine. This 2 litre engine provides maximum power of 155ps and peak torque of 360Nm delivered between 1,500rpm and 2,800rpm providing ample performance both on and off road, whatever the task.

And unlike other pick-ups where the word ‘truck’ belies their more dated mechanical origins by utilising leaf springs, the SsangYong Korando Sports features a live rear axle supported by sophisticated five link suspension with coil springs to give a comfortable, car like ride.

Turismo - Offering family and business users a car to transport seven adults in comfort together with their luggage, the SsangYong Turismo is almost without rival.

At over 5 metres long and with a 3 metre wheelbase, the car is larger than a standard sized MPV people carrier, and is now further enhanced for 2016 with the addition of an upgraded 2.2 litre Euro 6 diesel engine.  The Turismo also now offers the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or new Mercedes-Benz 7-speed automatic.

Thanks to its 3,000mm wheelbase, the car provides a huge interior space where seven adults can travel in supreme comfort with their luggage loaded in the back, without having to compromise on passenger accommodation. There are three rows of seats as well as a large load space which can be further increased by removing the third row completely. This gives a massive load carrying capability of between 875 litres with seven adults seated, through to two adults and 3,146 litres of load space.

While rear wheel drive features on the SE and EX, the top of the range ELX includes selectable 4x4 with low ratio as standard. This makes the Turismo ELX a car you can rely on, no matter what the winter throws at you, and is especially safe and practical whether towing a caravan, horsebox or boat trailer, or when driving on snow and ice.  As with other Turismo models the ELX has an impressive 2 tonne towing capability.

The new Turismo utilises double wishbone front suspension and rear independent multi-link suspension for executive saloon style ride quality. This set-up offers a quiet and comfortable driving environment with firm body control, a flat ride and optimum stability regardless of the road conditions.

Britain to pump £15 Billion into new and existing roads, but only AFTER the General Election.

The £15 billion ‘Road investment strategy’ will increase the capacity and improve the condition of England’s roads.

An ambitious £15 billion plan to triple levels of spending by the end of the decade to increase the capacity and condition of England’s roads, was announced to Parliament today (1 December 2014) by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.

The government is investing in more than 100 new road schemes over this parliament and next, 84 of which are brand new today.

Over 1,300 new lane miles will be added by schemes being delivered over the next parliament on motorways and trunk roads, tackling congestion and fixing some of the most notorious and longstanding problem areas on the network. When 90% of journeys are taking place on our roads this work is vital to help people get on and get around.

These plans are published today in the first ever ‘Road investment strategy’, which has been developed to keep the population connected and the economy growing.

This includes £1.5 billion of investment to add an extra lane onto key motorways to turn them into smart motorways, boosting connectivity between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Yorkshire.

Patrick McLoughlin said:

“Today I am setting out the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads programme for decades. It will dramatically improve our road network and unlock Britain’s economic potential.

“Roads are key to our nation’s prosperity. For too long they have suffered from under-investment.

“This government has a long term plan to secure the country’s future and this £15 billion roads programme is demonstration of that. Better roads allow us to travel freely, creating jobs and opportunities, benefiting hardworking families across the country.”

Spending during the next parliament on England’s roads network will be boosted further by maintenance funding worth more than £10 billion across the local and national road network.

New projects announced today include:

• south west: a commitment of £2 billion to dual the entire A303 and A358 to the south west, including a tunnel at Stonehenge. This will allow roads users to drive on a dual carriageway from London to within 15 miles of Land’s End
• north east: setting aside £290 million to complete the dualling of the A1 all the way from London to Ellingham, just 25 miles from the Scottish border, to make the Great North Road truly great again
• north west and Yorkshire: driving forward the northern powerhouse by completing the smart motorway along the entire length of the M62 from Manchester to Leeds, together with improvements to transpennine capacity from Manchester to Sheffield, representing the first increase in transpennine capacity since 1971
• north west: committing to improve links to the Port of Liverpool, as part of a plan of 12 projects designed to improve access to major international gateways on which the nation’s international trade depends
• south east: funding £350 million of improvements to the A27 along the south coast, tackling severe congestion at Arundel, Worthing and Lewes – consulting with the local community on options
• east of England: investing £300 million to upgrade the east-west connection to Norfolk, by dualling sections of the A47 and improving its connections to the A1 and A11, building on the recently completed full dualling of the A11 from London to Norwich, to ensure the east of England has the connections it deserves
• London and the south east: improving one-third of the junctions on the entire M25, to aid frustrated commuters stuck in traffic around the capital
• midlands: improving the M42 to the east of Birmingham, improving the connectivity to Birmingham airport, the National Exhibition Centre, the local enterprise zone, and pave the way for the new High Speed 2 interchange station

Chair of the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said:

“World class infrastructure is vital if we are to build a stronger economy, but it matters in other ways to. It invigorates communities and gives people more opportunities to get on in life. This is why I have ensured that this government has prioritised funding roads, and railways, at a high level for future generations.

“For decades our roads have suffered from under investment, so I’m particularly delighted to be able to announce this expansive range of new road schemes today. Investment on this scale is only possible because we have taken the difficult decisions needed to control our public finances and stuck to our recovery plan which is now delivering strong growth and record numbers of jobs.

“These projects, like the scheme on the A303, will help unleash the economic potential of both the regions they serve and of the overall economy.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said:

“Our Long term-economic plan means today we can invest an unprecedented £15 billion into Britain’s infrastructure to improve repair and expand our roads.

“Our plans will transform some of the country’s most important strategic routes, with ambitious projects to dual the A303, A1, A27 and the A47 as well as spending on important local infrastructure boosting productivity and helping local economies.

“For years our roads have been neglected. Now that this government is fixing the economy, we can afford to invest properly in our roads – unlocking jobs for the future and local growth by creating a road network that is fit for the 21st century.”

As well as increasing capacity and transforming the busiest sections of the network, the government is transforming the Highways Agency into a government-owned company; this will mean funding can be allocated on a longer term basis, saving the taxpayer at least £2.6 billion over the next 10 years.

The strategy also contains measures to improve the lives of communities affected by road upgrades, including:

• £100 million to improve cycling provision at 200 key locations across the network, as well as a commitment to cycle-proof any new schemes being developed
• £300 million environmental fund to mitigate carbon emission and reduce the number of people affected by serious noise by 250,000 - this fund will create new charge points for low emission vehicles every 20 miles across the road network, as well as enhance the landscape, protect sites of cultural or historic heritage, and reduce the impact of improving our roads on wildlife, countryside and habitats
• £100 million to unlock future growth and housing developments

The 84 new road projects outlined today will improve connectivity across the UK, from the north east to the south west. The new investment broken down by region is:

• north east and Yorkshire - 18 schemes worth around £2.3 billion and estimated to create 1,500 construction jobs
• north west – 9 schemes worth £800 million and estimated to create 600 jobs
• midlands – 17 schemes worth £1.4 billion and estimated to create 900 jobs
• east of England – 15 schemes worth £1.5 billion and estimated to create 1,000 jobs
• London and south east – 18 schemes worth £1.4 billion and estimated to create 900 jobs
• south west – 7 schemes worth £2 billion and estimated to create 1,300 jobs