The TagAZ Tager is the Russian version of the SsangYong Korando, one of the original models of the Taganrog factory. After SsangYong ran into financial trouble, TagAZ bought the rights and the production lines of the Korando and the Musso, moved them to Izhevsk and built the car there as the Tager. It was sold with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder or a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine.
TagAZ Tager at a glance
| Maker | TagAZ (Taganrogski Awtomobilny Sawod), Russia |
|---|---|
| Production | from 2008, Izhevsk |
| Origin | SsangYong Korando, built in Russia as the Doninvest Kondor from February 2000 |
| Rights | bought from SsangYong with the Korando and Musso production lines |
| Assembly | two lines in Izhevsk |
| Engines | 2,295 cc four-cylinder, 110 kW; 3,199 cc six-cylinder, 162 kW |
| Five-door | 110 kW engine only |
| Turning circle | 11.6 m |
| Ground clearance | 195 mm |
| Luggage | 350 l in the smaller body, 1,200 l in the five-door |
| Fuel consumption | 13.8–19.9 l/100 km |
| Fuel tank | 70 l |
| Gross weight | 2,515 kg |
The Tager has no article of its own on the English Wikipedia; the model is described on the German Wikipedia, and the English article on the TagAZ factory gives its place in the range.
History of the TagAZ Tager
From Doninvest Kondor to SsangYong Korando
The Tager belongs to the original models of the Taganrog factory. Production as the Doninvest Kondor, the second generation of that name, began in February 2000. Two months later the Doninvest brand was dissolved, and the vehicle took back its Korean name, SsangYong Korando, and was produced under that name for the Russian market.
Buying the Korean lines
In 2007 the South Korean SsangYong Motor Company, then part of GM Daewoo, ran into financial difficulties and was forced to sell the blueprints and the rights to models it no longer produced. After almost nine months of negotiations TagAZ won the rights to both the Musso and the Korando, together with both production lines. The Korando line was dismantled and moved to Izhevsk, where the car has been built on two lines as the Tagaz Tager ever since.
Engines and dimensions
The Tager received new engines: a 2,295 cc four-cylinder with 110 kW and a 3,199 cc six-cylinder with 162 kW. The five-door version was built only with the 110 kW engine. The turning circle is 11.6 m and ground clearance 195 mm. Luggage space is 350 litres in the smaller body and 1,200 litres in the five-door; fuel consumption is quoted at 13.8 to 19.9 litres per 100 km, with a 70-litre tank. The gross weight of all versions is 2,515 kg.
Design and features
- Korean origins: a SsangYong Korando built on the original Korean production lines.
- Two engines: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder or a 3.2-litre six-cylinder.
- Off-road dimensions: 195 mm of ground clearance and an 11.6 m turning circle.
- Two body lengths: a smaller body and a five-door with 1,200 litres of luggage space.
- Russian assembly: built in Izhevsk after the line was moved from South Korea.
TagAZ Tager versions
- Tager 2.3: 2,295 cc four-cylinder, 110 kW, available in both bodies.
- Tager 3.2: 3,199 cc six-cylinder, 162 kW.
- Five-door: built only with the 110 kW four-cylinder.
- Doninvest Kondor / SsangYong Korando: the same model under its earlier names, assembled in Russia from February 2000.
The Tager was the sister model of the Road Partner, also bought from SsangYong. The later licence-built models were the C10 and the C190. More cars are in the TagAZ collection.
Video: Тест-драйв Tagaz Tager, всё хорошо?
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- TagAZ, English Wikipedia: factory history, place of the Tager in the range
- Tagaz Tager, German Wikipedia: origins, purchase of the lines, engines and dimensions
