SsangYong Torres EVX Korean electric SUV teased

Battle-scarred South Korean carmaker SsangYong has teased the Torres EVX, a rugged-looking electric SUV alternative to the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Kona Electric.

It’s based on the petrol-powered Torres – which has been confirmed to launch later this year in Australia – but appears to gain a revised front with a segmented LED daytime running light strip and welcome animation, and aerodynamic alloy wheels.

Inside, the teaser image depicts new dual 12-inch displays joined on a single curved panel similar to the Kia EV6, running on a new operating system, and wood trim across the dashboard – as per a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y.

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Full details of the Torres EVX will be announced at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, which is scheduled from March 30.

SsangYong has faced an uphill battle in the last few years, entering bankruptcy in late 2020 citing COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

After multiple attempts to find a buyer, chemical and steel company KG Group acquired the automaker in mid-2022.

It posted its first quarterly profit since 2016 in the final quarters of last year – largely due to the launch of the new Jeep-esque designed Torres SUV.

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The 69-year-old company will soon be renamed to KG Mobility.

The Torres EVX will be the South Korean carmaker’s second all-electric car after the 2022 Korando E-Motion.

SsangYong relaunched in Australia in 2018 and still continues to offer the same vehicles today, including the Korando medium SUV, Rexton large SUV, and Musso dual-cab ute – but the Tivoli small SUV went on a sales hiatus in 2020 and hasn’t come back.

Only 3943 SsangYongs were registered locally in 2022, which represents a respectable 32.4 per cent increase from 2021 new-car sales figures.