Reinventing the Musso

Demanding individuals enjoy the finer things in life: a cozy condo in the city; a high tech home entertainment system, the best Italian suits and shoes; and a powerful SUV in the garage for those long trips out of town. Why not? They demand the best and for them, the best is actually within reach. No more scrimping on costs. And when it comes to affordable SUVs, nothing comes closer to the 2002 Musso Sport Select SUV.

What has captured car enthusiasts when it was first introduced in the country three years ago still has the same futuristic look and well crafted design, save for some add-on features like high-impact front bull-bars, a sporty rear spoiler, roof rack, and a European-style front grill. These new elements add more plus points for the Musso, which has maintained a strong and loyal following within the elite class who know a good – and affordable – SUV when they see one.

You might think this SUV doesn’t have the same specs as any standard SUV. Or you might think Commercial Motors Corp. (CMC), local assembler and distributor of the Musso in the Philippines, sacrificed some key features found in other, more expensive SUVs. Think again.

The new 2002 Musso Sport Select is a full-size SUV that combine the rugged essence of a traditional 4x4 with the utility of a station wagon. It has retained its image as that of a long-wheelbase, wide-track, low-profile sport utility whose distinctive look has twice been named "Best 4x4" at the UK’s Birmingham International Motor Show.

The sheer practically of the Musso is perhaps its biggest asset. It has a long flat boot area, which offers 1,120 liter of storage space. For extra room, the split rear seats can be folded, expanding storage space to a maximum 1,920 liters, allowing more room for additional cargo, like a large cooler or camping gear.

On the other hand, if you’re lugging your friends and family around town, you can be confident with the thought that the Musso can comfortably seat ten persons without a fuss. Leather seats and powerful air-conditioning that can function even during extremely hot afternoons keep its occupants fresh and relaxed.

And herein lies the Musso’s greatest attraction. It’s a full-size SUV and yet it’s 2.3 liter inline 4 cylinder SOHC turbo intercooler diesel engine with automatic transmission make it a dream to drive. In contrast to other SUVs that are bulky gas guzzlers, the Musso can make owning an SUV in these days of rising fuel prices that much less of a headache.

When it comes to road performance, the Musso doesn’t falter and can go toe-to-toe in terms of power against other SUVs. The Musso powerplant is licensed and built to Mercedes Benz’s legendary reliability and high quality standards. It has been engineered to go through rough terrain and withstand tough beating from varying road conditions.

In fact, United Nations peacekeeping forces in Eastern Europe are using the Musso. It is also a consistent top 10 finisher in rallies like Egypt’s Pharaoh (1994) and the Paris Dakar (1994-96).

These achievements are a tribute to Musso’s road-hugging double wishbone front and 5-link coil-spring rear suspension. The power assisted rack and pinion steering takes you where you want to go. It’s high clearance of 195 mm. From the ground adds to the Musso’s superb on-road comfort and off-road agility.

Whether driving through muddy tracks or steep uphill roads, the Musso is light on its feet, so to speak. Responsive steering gives the drive the necessary feedback when traversing uneven or heavily potholed roads. What remains as one of the positive virtues of the Musso is that it does not have the clunky feel common among the big SUVs.

Hardworking professionals can appreciate the workhorse ethic of the Musso, a fact that has endeared it to present and future owners alike. The Musso’s practically runs parallel to their lifestyle: adventurous, on-the-go, and utilitarian. What they can’t fit inside the cargo space they can tow on a trailer, perfect for a weekend of jet skiing in Batangas or Subic.

With its new look, The Musso Super Select SUV has taken versatility to a higher level. Many upwardly mobile executives relish the thrill of being seen driving the Musso. Its futuristic lines have a somewhat unique appeal, a welcome break from all the curvy and sloping lines common among other sport utility vehicles.

The Musso combines elegance and toughness that allow it to fit in to any situation, event or occasion. Its handsome exterior is quite presentable for those dinner dates of engagement at 5-star hotels, when you’re wearing a three-piece suit or formal barong. On the other hand, it fits just as well for those mountain runs when you need to chuck off your formal wear for more rugged gear like all-weather cargo pants and hiking shoes. Of course, the Musso would also feel right at home in the shopping mall, as most SUV-owners have been known to use these big vehicles to transport groceries, newly bought furniture, or tons of books and magazines.

Whether you stay on the road or go off it, the Musso will deliver you to your destination in better shape than ever.

Which begs some people to wonder why there are those individuals who still insist on getting an expensive European-made sedan when for relatively the same price one can get a full-size sport ute that can handle Manila’s pothole-riddles street and occasional flooding.

The Musso is an SUV that’s handsomely crafted, technically superior and power4ed to the extreme. Good thing it comes in five two-tone color combinations to suit your preference – Jasper Blue, Copper Red, Brilliant Black, Solarized Silver, and Grand White.

Other standard amenities include front torsions bars and rear coil suspension, AM/FM cassette with 4-speaker audio system, allow wheels, high-strength steel door with impact beam, and remote keyless entry system, among others.

From Korea’s Ssang Yong Motor Corporation, and exclusively distributed by the Philippines’ prestigious automobile distributor, Commercial Motors Corp., a new breed of SUV is introduced in the new Musso Super Select – a genuine all-around, multi-purpose vehicle that answers the most demanding needs.

Check out the all-new Musso Sport Select at branches and dealers of Commercial Motors Corp. (CMC) and see just how much more an SUV can be.