SsangYong Chairman W/H
Overview
ManufacturerSsangYong
Production1997–2017
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury car
Body style4-door sedan
Chronology
PredecessorDaewoo Prince (Daewoo Chairman)
SuccessorRoewe 950 (Roewe 850)

The SsangYong Chairman is a full-size luxury car that was manufactured by South Korean automaker SsangYong from 1997 to 2017. The original model was renamed Chairman H in 2008, with a new model introduced in the same year and designated Chairman W.

History

On release to the South Korean market in 1997, the chairman was a high-end executive sedan. Its manufacturer, SsangYong, was best known for SUVs and RVs, with the chairman has been its only sedan. The first generation chairman was built on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124) platform, but styled more like a modernized W140 S-Class. Coincidentally, the design also foretold that of the upcoming W220 S-Class, which led to some consternation at the German company. Mercedes-Benz requested that Ssangyong redesign the car to make it look less like a Mercedes-Benz and to refrain from selling it in developed export markets such as Europe and the United States.[1]

Chairman H (1997–2011)

Chairman H
Overview
Also calledDaewoo Chairman
Pyeonghwa Junma/Zumma (North Korea)
Production1997–2011
AssemblySouth Korea: Pyeongtaek
Body and chassis
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
RelatedMercedes-Benz W124
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speed automatic (5G-Tronic)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,900 mm (114.2 in)
Length
  • 5,055 mm (199.0 in) (1997–2003)
  • 5,135 mm (202.2 in) (2003–2008)
  • 5,110 mm (201.2 in) (2008–2011)
  • 5,050 mm (198.8 in) (2011–2014)
Width1,825 mm (71.9 in)
Height1,465 mm (57.7 in)

SsangYong renamed the original pre-2008 Chairman model as Chairman H (which has the same design as the 2003–2008 model) to differentiate from the Chairman W. Chairman H kept the same exterior, interior, engine, transmission and features as the previous models. In 2003, the chairman received a restyled front grille, front and rear headlights, and improved interior assembly.

The 2005 Chairman, based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124) had the following features: heated and cooled cup holders, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control.

Although sold globally, the Chairman H sold very poorly outside Korea, due to both poor reviews and a lack of SsangYong dealerships. This was in part rectified by rebadging the car as a Daewoo in some countries, which also included the Daewoo corporate grille. The Daewoo version was offered until 2002 and was not replaced until 2005, when they introduced the Daewoo Statesman (a rebadged Holden).

In 2011, the Chairman H was once again redesigned, still keeping its Mercedes-Benz design cues.[2]

The Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) stated that in 2014, SsangYong Motor Company sold a total of 1,718 Chairman H cars in South Korea. In January 2015, the SsangYong Motor Company website no longer advertised or referenced the Chairman H.

Engines

Model Availability Engine Displacement Power
2.3 I4 150from debut4-cylinder in-line petrol2,299 cc110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp)
2.8 I6 200from debut6-cylinder in-line petrol2,799 cc145 kW (197 PS; 194 hp)
3.2 I6 220from debut6-cylinder in-line petrol3,199 cc162 kW (220 PS; 217 hp)
3.6 I6 280from 20076-cylinder in-line petrol3,598 cc206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp)

Chairman W (2008–2017)

Chairman W
Overview
Also calledRoewe R95 (cancelled)
Production2008–2017
Model years2008–2018
Body and chassis
LayoutFR/F4 layout
RelatedMercedes-Benz E-Class (W211)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220)
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (W219)
Chrysler 300
Powertrain
Engine3.2 L M104.99 I6
3.6 L M104.941 I6
5.0 L M113 E50 V8
Transmission7-speed automatic (7G-Tronic)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,920 mm (115.0 in)
3,270 mm (128.7 in) (LWB)
Length5,090 mm (200.4 in) (2008–2011)
5,135 mm (202.2 in) (2011–2017)
5,350 mm (210.6 in) (LWB)
Width1,895 mm (74.6 in)
Height1,495 mm (58.9 in)
1,500 mm (59.1 in) (LWB)
Chronology
SuccessorRoewe 950 (for Roewe 850)

SsangYong developed their own all-new flagship Chairman W, New Chairman with V8 5-litre engine and Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic automatic transmission. The Chairman W is derived from the SsangYong WZ concept car. The 'W' stands for 'World Class.'

Chairman W is offered in six trims with two engines, a limo version, and an additional AWD 4-Tronic (Mercedes-Benz 4Matic). XGi360, once used for New Chairman, is transferred to the entry model with a straight 6-cylinder engine, and the 5-liter V8 Mercedes-Benz M113 engine and the 7G-Tronic transmission (the largest V8 engine produced in South Korea[3]) are applied to two high-end models, VVIP and the long-wheel-base version. It has an electronically controlled self-levelling air suspension system with a rebound coil that helps reduce noise and vibration, as well as an extended rear passenger space[4] and the front and rear both have their own screen to control the car's entertainment system, similar to Chrysler's MyGig.

The Chairman W is the first Korean luxury sedan to apply a four-wheel drive system, a feature common in high-end European sedans.[4]

The Chairman W was planned to be rebadged as the Roewe R95 for the short-wheel-base version, and the Roewe R95L for the long-wheel-base version, to serve as Roewe's flagship model, but the project was canceled. Roewe would later add a full-size flagship sedan to their lineup in the Roewe 950, which was initially planned to be named the R95.[5]

On 23 November 2017, SsangYong Motor Company announced that the chairman will be finally discontinued in order to shift focus on SUVs and crossovers, marking the end of chairman production after just over twenty years.

Engines

Model Name Motor Displacement Power Torque Consumption Top speed
3.2 I6XGi3206-cylinder in-line, petrol3,199 cc165.5 kW (225 PS; 222 hp) at 6,600 rpm296 N⋅m (218 lb⋅ft) at 4,600 rpm8.1 km/L250 km/h (155 mph)
3.6 I6XGi3606-cylinder in-line, petrol3,598 cc184 kW (250 PS; 247 hp) at 6,600 rpm343 N⋅m (253 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm7.8 km/L250 km/h (155 mph)
5.0 V8XGi5008-cylinder in V, petrol4,966 cc225 kW (306 PS; 302 hp) at 5,600 rpm441 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm7.3 km/L250 km/h (155 mph)

References

  1. Moon, Byung-hoon (1997-10-30). "獨 벤츠 "체어맨 되게 신경쓰이네"" [Germany's Benz: "I really care about the Chairman"]. Yonhap News (in Korean). NAVER Corp. Archived from the original on 2021-05-25.
  2. Beissmann, Tim (8 April 2011). "2011 Ssangyong Chairman H unveiled in Seoul". CarAdvice.com.au. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  3. "The Car Web: Ssangyong Chairman W: The Launch". The-car-web.blogspot.com. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  4. 1 2 "INSIDE JoongAng Daily". Joongangdaily.joins.com. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  5. "The Story Of The Roewe R95, A Mercedes-powered Korean-Chinese Limousine | ChinaCarHistory". 2018-09-26. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
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