Rugged new medium SUV goes soft as part of its electric makeover; local release plans TBC
SsangYong has shown off its second battery-electric model to date in the form of the 2023 SsangYong Torres EVX, which will make its world public debut at the Seoul Mobility Show later this month.
For now, the Korean brand has only released a couple of images of its new mid-size electric SUV, revealing a drastically overhauled front-end and a reworked interior featuring a Kia- and BMW-style curved display comprising a digital cockpit and infotainment interface.
The biggest or at least most eye-catching change to the Torres’ exterior as part of its electric makeover is its all-new lighting signature, which spans the entire length of the bonnet line.
Look a bit further down and you’ll notice the rest of the front fascia is completely different to the internal combustion version in a deliberate move to make the front-end as aerodynamic as possible, even if it does lose a bit of ruggedness.
The petrol-powered SUV’s square grille and intake have been scrapped completely, while the headlights have been relocated from just under the bonnet to the cheeks of the car – where the foglights once were.
Another major change is the removal of the oversized imitation skid plate and presence of a more traditional bumper intake, which combine with the above changes to make the EVX look a whole lot more urban oriented than its internal combustion counterpart.
The new look is finished off by a set of aerodynamic alloy wheels shod with what will surely be efficiency-minded tyres designed to maximize the driving range.
SsangYong says the exterior and interior design of the Torres EVX deviates so heavily from the combustion version in order to “emphasise the differentiated identity of electric vehicles” and instill the EV with a more futuristic vibe.
“The name of Torres EVX is the combination of EV, which means electric vehicle, and X in eXtreme, which means the free lifestyle inherent in SUVs, to Torres’ strong and stylish image that pursues an authentic SUV,” said the company.
“It was branded with the value of adventure and challenging spirit that goes beyond the limits of electric vehicles.”
While we should have the full details of the Torres EVX by the first week of April, it remains to be seen if there are any plans for the model to be released Down Under, where even the combustion-powered version is yet to be released.
The situation is complicated by the existence of the similarly-sized SsangYong Korando e-Motion, which is also pending for the Australian market.
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Keyword: SsangYong Torres EVX revealed