It’s official: SsangYong Motor is no more. This after its new owner, the KG Group, a Korean steel and chemicals firm, re-launched it as KG Mobility at the Seoul Mobility Show. Their first vehicle? The all-electric Torres EVX.
Set to go on-sale in Korea and Europe first by the second half of 2023, the Torres EVX is an off-pavement-friendly compact SUV at around 40 million won (P 1.631 million).
Visually, the Torres EVX is differentiated from its combustion engine counterpart thanks to the redesigned front with slimmer LED headlights, an illuminated grille, and different bumper intakes. The profile is carried over with a new set of 20-inch alloy wheels, while the rear end features unique LED graphics for the taillights, retaining the characteristic bump on the tailgate which resembles a spare wheel cover.
The Torres EVX will use a 73.4-kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries made by China’s BYD giving it a driving range of about 500 kilometers on a single charge. The new platform, KG Mobility says, supports front-, rear- and all-wheel drive layouts. For the Torres EVX, however, they’ve mounted that up front where the setup is capable of 204 horsepower. It drives the front wheels exclusively.
Similar to other modern Korean vehicles, the Torres EVX adopts a dual-screen display that combines the instrument cluster and infotainment screens. In terms of features, it comes with a full suite of ADAS and even an optional panoramic sunroof.
According to KG Mobility, the Torres EVX is aimed at younger South Koreans. Moreover, because it uses LFP batteries, it’s less susceptible to vehicle fires, a safety risk found in EVs. Moreover, LFPs cost less than lithium-ion batteries.
Current Philippine distributor, Berjaya Auto Asia (not related to Bermaz Auto Philippines), has yet to comment on the SsangYong business in the country. However, when the Korean SUV specialist underwent a court-led corporate rehabilitation, it is understood that the local business was temporarily put on hold first. It is very likely that thanks to SsangYong’s new owners, Berjaya Auto Asia may once again start bringing in new offerings starting with the Torres.
Sayonara...
ReplyDeleteKGMobility is a bit of a mouthful for a name hehe
ReplyDeleteReminds me of KGB
ReplyDeleteWhat does KG stand for?
ReplyDeleteKomitet Gosudarstvennoy
DeleteKG stands for "Korea Green."
DeleteAs of press time Berjaya's Ssangyong motors distributor is dead. All remaining unsold units in sole dealer in Sta.rosa Laguna are for bargain selling it huge discounts. The new unit TORRES is gonna be a hit if it sold in the Philippines but definitely it takes time due to Ssangyong bankruptcy but a new owner hope to try revive the trouble company. As for the new name of Ssangyong motors new buyer KG mobility means KOREAN GANGNAM mobile 😆.
ReplyDelete