• Korea’s KG Mobility is turning the SsangYong Musso into a dedicated pickup sub-brand.
  • The Musso EV is set to launch in South Korea in Q1 2025, with more markets to follow.
  • The EV will be accompanied by an ICE pickup, featuring a more rugged design.

KG Mobility, formerly known as SsangYong, has introduced a new sub-brand for its future pickup offerings named Musso. The first vehicle under this new lineup is the KGM Musso EV, which closely resembles the O300 Concept from 2023. This electric pickup will soon be followed by an internal combustion engine version, which was teased in official sketches.

More: KG Mobility Actyon Debuts In Korea As A Longer And Sleeker Torres

Starting with the EV, KG Mobility has only shared the profile of the pickup ahead of its market launch. Fortunately, real-world photos from its first public appearance at a Korean festival were posted on Autospy. These reveal that the production model retains much of the concept’s styling, with only a few toned-down features, such as smaller wheels

Up front, the slim LED headlights, hood, and fenders closely resemble the Torres EVX SUV. However, the bumper and fender extensions have been redesigned, along with a unique rear end that better suits the dual-cab pickup format. KG Mobility has stated that the pickup will be customizable in various styles, with the first example sporting a roof rack.

KGM Musso EV
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand

Photos: KOTRA / Autospy, KGM

SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
2023 SsangYong O300 Concept

The Musso EV is built on the same underpinnings as the Torres EVX and Actyon SUVs, but with a stretched wheelbase and longer rear overhang to fit the pickup format. While the aforementioned models are available only in front-wheel drive, the Musso EV will offer an all-wheel-drive version, most likely powered by dual electric motors.

The new pickup model is set to launch in Korea in Q1 2025, with plans for expansion to markets like the UK and Australia later.

ICE-Powered Version

In addition to the KGM Musso EV, KG Mobility has shared teaser sketches of a gas-powered Musso pickup that will also be part of the lineup. While the electric and ICE versions of the Torres look pretty similar, the Musso ICE version seems to take a different design approach.

The pickup has the stance of midsize truck with a rugged yet modern look. The LED headlights are reminiscent of the Ford F-150, while the front features a large grille and skid plate. The rear shows off twin tailpipes, signaling the presence of an internal combustion engine under the hood. In one of the sketches, the truck is even converted into an overlanding camper.

Details on the ICE version remain scarce, with no official launch date yet. However, considering that the current Musso and Rexton Sports are expected to end production in 2025, this new model may be released as a successor around 2026.

SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
ICE-powered KGM Musso Teaser Sketches
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand
SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand

A Short History Lesson

The original SsangYong Musso made its debut in 1993 as a Mercedes-powered SUV. The name “Musso” comes from the Korean word for rhinoceros.

In 2002, it spawned a dual-cab pickup variant, known as the SsangYong Musso Sports. This was followed by the Action Sports (2006), the Korando Sports (2012), and the Rexton Sports (2018), with the latter adopting the Musso name in markets outside Korea.

KG Mobility says the new Musso lineup aims to continue the legacy of its predecessors, designed to serve both “daily needs and leisure” activities. A company spokesperson teased that more Musso variants are in the works stating, “We will continue the Musso tradition by developing and expanding a diverse portfolio of pickup lineups in the future.”

SsangYong’s Successor Turns Musso Into A Pickup Brand

H/T to drive.com.au