IN what might be called the ultimate test drive, a fleet of all-new SsangYong Rexton SUVs have completed a 50 day, 8,000 mile drive from the company's factory at Pyeongtaek in South Korea, via Beijing and the Silk Road to arrive in Britain.

After making it to Germany for the opening of the Frankfurt Motor Show two of the Rextons carried on to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire where SsangYong is sponsoring the international horse trials.

Designed to test the vehicles in extreme conditions, the Rexton Trans Eurasia Trail travelled through ten different countries, including China, Kazakhstan and Russia, before arriving at the Blenheim estate.

Mr Johng-sik Choi, chief executive of SsangYong Motor who travelled to Blenheim Palace to greet the teams, said: "This all-new, fourth generation Rexton is a major step forward for the brand. The Trans Eurasia Trail gave us the ultimate test drive opportunity, and a superb way to launch the car in Europe. This was a huge challenge for the cars and their drivers, and the ultimate test of performance and reliability. The cars equipped themselves brilliantly."

Signalling major advances in style, quality, safety and technology from the Korean brand, the new Rexton will be officially launched in the UK in October priced from £27,500.

The family-sized SUV is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine delivering maximum power of 181ps and maximum torque of 420Nm.

It will be available either with a six-speed manual or seven-speed Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission, and with a 3.5 tonne towing capacity.