First ride in new SsangYong Torres: This SUV should finally succeed

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

SsangYong filed for bankruptcy on December 21, 2020, 66 years after its founding. Bankruptcy could no longer be avoided; The proud South Korean automaker was on the verge of collapse. In the midst of its search for investors and long bickering, South Korean holding company KG Mobility went on strike this spring and took over the embattled automaker. Now they want to remove the SsangYong name from their car models. Vehicles will now run under KGM; The first model will be the all-electric Torres EVX in early 2024.

Since the combustion engine version of the Torres mid-range SUV sold well in the South Korean domestic market, the group decided to bring the internal combustion engine to Europe first. On our first trip to Hoffnungsträger, we were stunned even before we set off: as recently reported, there was no sign of the new logo. Instead, the biplane emblem will remain for now; “SsangYong” means “twin dragon” in Korean.

Lots of space for everyone

The Torres sits between the compact Korando and the big Rexton in the SUV class. The cockpit is okay – and again we’re stunned: nothing looks cheap, everything is solidly crafted. Faux leather and fabrics adorn the instrument panel and door panels, only plastic here and there – it’s a place to save. All four seats are heated in the “First Edition” equipment line, and even the front seats are ventilated. Blinds are available for guests in the back.

At 4.70 meters long, the Torres not only offers plenty of space at the front; The offering is also generously sized on the back. There’s also plenty of storage for water bottles or smartphones. Loading volume in the trunk is also generous: 703 to 1662 liters fit. The only drawback is the missing cover on the folding bench.

All-wheel drive for an additional fee

First, we have to get used to the large steering wheel in the first few meters of the test lap, as does the relatively complex infotainment system. After all, the smartphone can be connected to the 9-inch touchscreen via Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The perfect solution: the air conditioner can be operated separately via the 8 inch display at the bottom. Below it is an inductive charging socket for the mobile phone and standard USB ports; You won’t find a USB-C port on the Torres. We read the speed from the head-up display or 12.5-inch digital gauges.

The SUV’s driving force is the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 163 hp (120 kW) and delivers a maximum torque of 280 Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission (optionally manual). While it may seem like little power at first, in practice the car moves surprisingly fast. SsangYong seems to have forgotten to measure speed from 0 to 100 km/h; we estimate a little under ten seconds. The summit is reached at a speed of 191 km/h.

Important for Switzerland: Torres is also available with all-wheel drive for an additional charge of CHF 3,000. Either way, Torres will not be a bargain hunter: on the test lap, the SUV had a tremendous fuel consumption of 8.8 l/100 km. The datasheet says 8.5 l/100 km; hybridization could quench the thirst here.

From almost 36,000 francs

Stiff springs and softly tuned dampers provide clearly noticeable pitch and roll movements on bad roads – in our opinion, the finishing touch is missing here. But when it comes to assistance systems, Torres lags behind: In the “First Edition” driving version, everything is present, from the blind spot warning system to the steering assistant and adaptive cruise control. Assistants do their job very well; only the steering wheel actuation buttons are a bit too small and poorly positioned.

Price-wise, Torres starts at an attractive CHF 35,990. The “First Edition” with all-wheel drive and additional winter wheels starts at CHF 47,790. We think: there’s a lot of cars for the money and there’s also a 5-year warranty. You can order the Torres now, and it’s expected to arrive in dealerships by the end of September. Astara Mobility Switzerland has been importing SsangYong and KGM since last year.

Source: Blick