What could this be?

Mockenrue · 09-13-2007, 07:28 AM

Apparently this was spotted last week in the south of France at the top of Mont Ventoux. There's a thread on another forum where people are speculating as to what it might be, but so far

. I thought I'd post it up here and see if anyone has any ideas.

Looking at the second pic, one is inclined to think Mercedes, but Mercedes what? Not the new E-Class if the latest spy shots and teasers are anything to go by.

Centurion · 09-13-2007, 07:32 AM

Must be some cheap ass E-class wannabe like the car in front of the test mule in the second picture.

coolraoul · 09-13-2007, 07:35 AM

This must be the new SSangyong Chairman, as the size could pass, the look could pass, and the car in the second pictures is the actual SSangyong Chairman, build with the authorization of Mercedes on an old Benz base, with the authorization to wear that Benz-like grille, but not sold in Europe (or US I think) to avoid competition with Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The Artist · 09-13-2007, 07:56 AM

this cant be a MB.. no way..
but it looks damn close..haha

coolraoul · 09-13-2007, 08:01 AM

It sure looks close, the SsangYong Chairman is based on old E-Class technical base, build under license from Mercedes by SsangYong.

The actual Chairman is based on the W210 technic, if I remember well. Or maybe the W140 S-Class I have a doubt...

Contrary to the Chinese, SsangYong has the authorization to do that, and paid the license to build it. Even the grill has been agreed by Mercedes-Benz (what I really can't understand).

The SsangYong Rodius in Europe is based on the W140... A lot of SsangYongs use Mercedes' motor and automatic gearbox, mainly the old 2.7L 5 cylinder diesel and the 3.2L petrol V6.

Mockenrue · 09-13-2007, 08:08 AM

Having just done a quick Google image search for 'SsangYong Chairman', I think you are spot on coolraoul, thanks.

Kowalski · 09-13-2007, 08:29 AM

It's the new Korean Mercedes-Benz... that looks like a Korean BMW to me.

Quote:

Posted by Auto Express:
SsangYong Chairman

Korean manufacturer to import its Chairman luxury saloon

Korean car-manufacturer Ssangyong is currently importing just its 4x4-lineup to Europe but is apparently planning to increase the number of cars sold by offering its Chairman luxury saloon. It’s based on the old W-126 Mercedes E-class and is currently undergoing adoptions to European exhaust and safety regulations. This work is carried out by the Huber Group in Germany, a company specialised in adopting car models from Asia and the U.S. to the strict emission laws set by the Brussels authorities. We caught the first prototype testing up in the north of Europe this week, and we are convinced that the same 3.2-litre 220-bhp Mercedes 6-cylinder unit used in today’s car will make it into the new model and onto the European market – after the Huber Group has had their magic fingers on it.

Exterior:

Interior:

The centre console looks like a very³ cheapen version of the E65 centre console. The exterior reminds me again of the E65.

coolraoul · 09-13-2007, 08:43 AM

Well for me the center console, and the interiro globally, evokes a cheaper version of the W221 S-Class.

For the exterior, the actual Chairman is: front W210, side W140 and rear American 2000's Buick or American Ford.

This is the face-lift model, the original was the same as the Lexus LS400: 100% W140... But with a very SsangYong interior though

It is based on the W124!! But with more modern Mercedes' motors and automatic gearbox.
There is also a quite luxurioux Extra-Long Wheelbase.

coolraoul · 09-13-2007, 09:03 AM

Just saw that: will be funny to see a Mercedes with the Hoffmeister Kink...

The Artist · 09-13-2007, 11:27 AM

why does they spend cash on such camo..
no one really cares.. they should use cloth.. that should be enough..
i should work for their economy department..haha

09-13-2007, 07:28 AM	#1
Mockenrue Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 48 Thanks: 74 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts	What could this be? Apparently this was spotted last week in the south of France at the top of Mont Ventoux. There's a thread on another forum where people are speculating as to what it might be, but so far . I thought I'd post it up here and see if anyone has any ideas. Looking at the second pic, one is inclined to think Mercedes, but Mercedes what? Not the new E-Class if the latest spy shots and teasers are anything to go by.

09-13-2007, 07:32 AM	#2
Centurion Jetsetter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 9,202 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 1,507 Times in 805 Posts	Re: What could this be? Must be some cheap ass E-class wannabe like the car in front of the test mule in the second picture.

09-13-2007, 07:35 AM	#3
coolraoul Advocate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: France (but actually internship in Germany) Posts: 943 Thanks: 183 Thanked 371 Times in 206 Posts	Re: What could this be? This must be the new SSangyong Chairman, as the size could pass, the look could pass, and the car in the second pictures is the actual SSangyong Chairman, build with the authorization of Mercedes on an old Benz base, with the authorization to wear that Benz-like grille, but not sold in Europe (or US I think) to avoid competition with Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

09-13-2007, 07:56 AM	#4
The Artist Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Gothenburg Posts: 13,186 Thanks: 257 Thanked 1,235 Times in 678 Posts	Re: What could this be? this cant be a MB.. no way.. but it looks damn close..haha

09-13-2007, 08:01 AM	#5
coolraoul Advocate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: France (but actually internship in Germany) Posts: 943 Thanks: 183 Thanked 371 Times in 206 Posts	Re: What could this be? It sure looks close, the SsangYong Chairman is based on old E-Class technical base, build under license from Mercedes by SsangYong. The actual Chairman is based on the W210 technic, if I remember well. Or maybe the W140 S-Class I have a doubt... Contrary to the Chinese, SsangYong has the authorization to do that, and paid the license to build it. Even the grill has been agreed by Mercedes-Benz (what I really can't understand). The SsangYong Rodius in Europe is based on the W140... A lot of SsangYongs use Mercedes' motor and automatic gearbox, mainly the old 2.7L 5 cylinder diesel and the 3.2L petrol V6.

09-13-2007, 08:08 AM	#6
Mockenrue Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 48 Thanks: 74 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts	Re: What could this be? Having just done a quick Google image search for 'SsangYong Chairman', I think you are spot on coolraoul, thanks.

09-13-2007, 08:43 AM	#8
coolraoul Advocate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: France (but actually internship in Germany) Posts: 943 Thanks: 183 Thanked 371 Times in 206 Posts	Re: What could this be? Well for me the center console, and the interiro globally, evokes a cheaper version of the W221 S-Class. For the exterior, the actual Chairman is: front W210, side W140 and rear American 2000's Buick or American Ford. This is the face-lift model, the original was the same as the Lexus LS400: 100% W140... But with a very SsangYong interior though It is based on the W124!! But with more modern Mercedes' motors and automatic gearbox. There is also a quite luxurioux Extra-Long Wheelbase.

09-13-2007, 09:03 AM	#9
coolraoul Advocate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: France (but actually internship in Germany) Posts: 943 Thanks: 183 Thanked 371 Times in 206 Posts	Re: What could this be? Just saw that: will be funny to see a Mercedes with the Hoffmeister Kink...

09-13-2007, 11:27 AM	#10
The Artist Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Gothenburg Posts: 13,186 Thanks: 257 Thanked 1,235 Times in 678 Posts	Re: What could this be? why does they spend cash on such camo.. no one really cares.. they should use cloth.. that should be enough.. i should work for their economy department..haha

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