After a lot of hype surrounding an EV powertrain, SsangYong’s rugged new SUV will launch with petrol power only
The 2022 SsangYong Torres has made its global debut before production starts next month, and while an Aussie introduction has already been confirmed, the Korean brand’s local arm is yet to confirm exactly when the all-new medium SUV will arrive.
Emerging perfectly consistent with the elaborate teaser images revealed last month, not much of the Torres’ design has changed since it was first previewed nearly 12 months ago, with all of the concept’s signature features making it across to production.
The front-end of SsangYong’s new Toyota RAV4 rival is ruled by a Jeep-inspired vertically slotted grille and chunky front fascia awash with square, rectangular and trapezoidal features.
That theme has been continued down the sides and at the rear too, although the tailgate features an offset central element vaguely resembling a spare wheel cover – but it definitely isn’t.
Despite its offset design and the right-side positioning of the handle, said tailgate opens upwards as opposed to the left as one might expect. Regardless, it’s flanked on either side by a set of segmented tail-lights.
To be positioned between the SsangYong Korando mid-size SUV and the SsangYong Rexton large SUV, the Torres blends the former’s more urban-friendly size with some of the latter’s off-road capability to create what’s intended as a happy medium between segments for those wanting a high-riding do-it-all package.
Not only is this reflected in the styling and exterior proportions but also on the inside, where we find 709 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 1662L when the back seats are stowed.
For comparison’s sake, the Korando offers 551L (1248L), while seven-seat Rexton offers 641L (1806L).
Like the exterior, the Torres’ interior design also deviates quite substantially from the models around it in being decidedly more upmarket and futuristic, with the crowning jewel being the new floating 12.3-inch infotainment system.
Said interface sits atop a set of slim air-vents, below which resides another (8.0-inch) screen housing the climate controls and selected vehicle functions.
Another headline is the new three-segment digital instrument cluster which has been executed in alignment with the entire dash’s ‘Slim and Wide’ design concept.
Brown or white leather upholstery has been used throughout the interior in the reveal images, contrasted by brushed aluminium-look trim and black plastic.
Top-spec versions will also come with 32-colour ambient lighting, heated and cooled seats, dual-zone climate control, an electric tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear sunshades, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, automatic lights and wipers, keyless entry, heated second row and privacy glass.
Going by Korean pre-order brochures, however, we can make some handy guesses about what features will feature on the base model, which looks set to ship with 17-inch alloys, LED exterior lighting, the aforementioned digital dash, heated leather steering wheel, paddle shifters, reversing camera, Bluetooth, sat-nav and a six-speaker sound system.
As expected, power and torque will come, initially at least, from a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – good for round 126kW/280Nm – mated to an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission.
Drive is sent to the front wheels by default, but customers will be able to opt for all-wheel drive on all model grades, brining with it a heap of offroad-specific features and controls accessed via the lower screen.
An all-electric powertrain pinched from the looming SsangYong Korando e-Motion is expected to materialise in the near future.
In terms of safety gear, all Korean versions will feature reversing assisted warning, front startup warning, emergency braking assist, front collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, safe distance warning and multiple collision prevention system.
Australian pricing and specification details will be confirmed once production starts next month, but for the time being at least the Torres is being advertised for pre-order in its home market from ?26,900,000 ($30,032).
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Keyword: SsangYong Torres revealed as new Toyota RAV4 rival