SsangYong's new off-roader is to be called Korando and will go on sale in time for the August/September sales peak, with aggressive prices to match its equally aggressive looks. Despite featuring a high level of standard equipment which includes power-steering, driver's airbag, central-locking, electric windows and mirrors, limited-slip differential and immobiliser, the entry-level Korando LS 2.9 diesel manual will cost #15,950 on-the-road. Vauxhall's similar-sized but less well equipped Frontera Sport 2.5 TDS carries a #1800 premium.

Higher up the four-model range, the 140PS 2.3 litre petrol-engined Korando GLS manual is priced at #17,950 on-the road, undercutting the similar-spec but lower powered Nissan Terrano 2.4 SR Sport by more than #2600. Standard GLS equipment includes alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes and a new traction control system called ABD (Automatic Braking Differential).

Both the Korando's 2.9 diesel and 2.3 litre Twin Cam 16v petrol engines are Mercedes-Benz-designed but built in a new factory in Korea. The petrol engine is similar to that fitted to the Mercedes C-class executive car. Petrol Korandos will be available with either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic.

Its rugged separate chassis, long-travel suspension and sophisticated ''shift-on-the-fly'' selectable four-wheel drive system with ABS and traction control satisfies the service requirements of the South Korean Army with only minor modifications.

The shape of the Korando is another striking design by a Briton, Professor Ken Greenley, who is also responsible for the larger Musso recreational vehicle launched in the UK in May 1995.

The SsangYong Motor Company manufactured a licensed version of the AMC Jeep for many years for the Korean domestic market called Korando. Prototypes of the new model were codenamed KJ but quickly became known internally as Ken's Jeep.

UK importer SsangYong Motor Distributors Limited apparently wanted to call the car Stampede but agreed to comply with a worldwide name of Korando which is an abbreviation of KORea cAN DO.

The newcomer is based on a shortened chassis from the larger Musso and features an unashamedly macho look with strong visual links with the original American Jeep but brought right up to date.

Overall size is similar to Vauxhall's Frontera Sport but with a 6in longer wheelbase for better ride, handling, stability and interior packaging.

Key features are a spacious three-door body which offers uncharacteristically good luggage space plus five-seat accommodation - a rarity among short-wheelbase competitors. The luxurious and high-quality interior contrasts sharply with Korando's ''heavy-duty'' external appearance, featuring arguably the most stylish and car-like detailing in its class.

An International Motors spokesman said Korando has been engineered to please both serious off-roaders and motorists seeking a ''lifestyle'' fashion 4x4 where appearance and on-road manners are more important than departure angles.

Although designed for tough off-road use, Korando has also been developed for a smooth ride and precise handling thanks to, for example, power-assisted rack and pinion steering for greater feel and precision compared to the more usual recirculating ball system.

A longer than normal wheelbase helps eliminate the choppiness which afflicts many sports utilities, while the long-travel torsion bar independent front suspension also aids ride and handling.

Korando's rear suspension is via a coil-sprung axle with five links for accurate location, good off-road articulation and reduced cornering-lean. Front and rear anti-roll bars also contribute to taut handling and minimum body roll. The car's conventional five-speed manual transmission supplied by Borg-Warner is complemented by an electronically controlled Borg-Warner dual-range transfer box.

An easy-to use facility called ''shift-on-the-fly'' allows the selection between rear or four wheel-drive at speeds up to 44mph. The selection of low-ratio is made while the vehicle is stationary.

The entry-level LS 2.9D features a limited-slip rear differential as standard, complemented by four-wheel disc brakes, while both the higher-spec GLS 2.3 Twin Cam and 2.9D boast anti-lock brakes (ABS) and a traction control system called ABD (automatic braking differential).

The new range will enter dealer showrooms in time for the August/September sales peak. Full on-the-road prices of the Korandos which, like all SsangYongs, feature a three year/60,000 mile warranty, start at #15,950 for the 2.9D manual and peak with the 2.3 litre twin cam automatic at #19,200.

Distributors International Motors, which already handles Isuzu, could well have another ace to play before long. In the pipeline is the Isuzu Vehicross already on sale in Asia and which was introduced to the US earlier this year.

Although based on the larger Trooper the Vehicross is a more compact four-seater with a lower roofline similar to a recreational vehicle, which would appear to be how we can expect all 4x4s to look by the turn of the century. It is powered by a 3.2 litre 210 bhp V6 engine, its part-time four-wheel drive chiming in whenever road conditions demand traction at each corner.

Land Rover's new Freelander is a similar concept. Smaller than a Discovery and expected to cost the same as the Vehicross at a starting point of #15,000 it is a project which has cost in excess of #400m to develop, but Land Rover bosses see it as a key vehicle in the ambitious plan to increase sales to a staggering 200,000 within the next three years.

Apart from its looks and smaller profile the Freelander differs from the Discovery in that it is not built on a separate steel chassis. Using a monocoque design, it is expected to handle much more like a road going car even with its permanent four-wheel drive (minus low ratio gearing) and true off-road ability.