SsangYong is having a torrid time proper now. While rivals Hyundai and Kia are going from strength to strength, the tough and difficult SUV maker is on the ropes, with proprietor Mahindra refusing to invest in the company and a takeover bid by bus maker Edison Motors falling through.
But the beleaguered Korean carmaker isn’t happening and not using a struggle, and with a brand new purchaser chosen within the type of chemical-to-steel agency KG Group, it seems to lastly be free to launch its next product. The Torres, named after the Torres del Paine mountain peaks in Chile, is hoped to reverse SsangYong’s fortunes by returning to the rugged design language the corporate is understood for.
It’s actually distinctive, with a slim grille stuffed with six vertical bars, flanked by small headlights and kinked LED daytime operating lights. They are visually related to the bumper by way of a blacked-out centre part, resulting in the massive silver skid plate; massive air intakes sit on both facet.
The buff styling continues with outstanding entrance and rear haunches, squared-off wheel arches, a robust shoulder line and a heavily-contoured bonnet, the latter housing seize handles on both facet. The upright glasshouse contains a wraparound entrance and rear windscreen design and contrasting silver C-pillars, the place patrons can specify a lockable storage field – similar to the Land Rover Defender.
At the rear you’ll discover vertical taillights with “tails” wrapped across the sides, plus a raised centre part that appears to recommend a tailgate-mounted spare wheel however solely homes the quantity plate recess. Another skid plate on the again and copious quantities of black plastic physique cladding full the look.
Inside, the angular aesthetic has been carried over, with probably the most eye-catching ingredient being the full-width recess within the dashboard that homes the three-segment instrument show (its slimness permits the highest of the steering wheel to be flattened barely) and the nook air vents.
Like the remainder of the automotive business, SsangYong is changing bodily buttons with touchscreens, which dominate the cabin of the Torres. The normal freestanding 12.3-inch infotainment show up prime is paired to a brand new eight-inch touchscreen on the backside, used for manipulating the local weather management and different vehicular features. The second display types a part of the decrease centre console, framed by silver rails.
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Slotting between the Korando and Rexton, the Torres is a five-seater, permitting it to supply a big 708 litre boot; baggage capability expands to 1,662 litres with the rear seats folded. Other options embody a 32 color choices for the ambient lighting strip on the dashboard, alongside with standard-fit autonomous emergency braking and lane retaining help. Adaptive cruise management and blind spot monitoring are provided as an possibility.
Power comes from a 1.5 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, mated to an Aisin six-speed computerized gearbox and out there all-wheel drive. According to authorities approval paperwork sighted by Korean portal Autopost, the automotive will produce 170 PS and 280 Nm of torque.
The Torres is now out there to order in South Korea, with costs starting from 26.9 million received (RM92,400) to 30.4 million received (RM104,400). There will even be a pure electrical mannequin coming in a while, which will likely be provided in Europe by the tip of subsequent 12 months.
