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SsangYong has had a dramatic few years, not just globally with a painfully long change of ownership, but also locally with an inconsistent SUV line-up.
This doesn't mean Korea's number three car brand hasn't made its mark in Australia, with the relatively good value Musso ute and Rexton large SUV having a small but meaningful impact on our sales charts. These two models, alongside the Korando SUV have somehow kept SsangYong in the minds of Australians.
SsangYong's future is starting to look more secure now, having been returned to Korean ownership after a tumultuous few years under the wing of Indian giant, Mahindra & Mahindra.
The new owner, Korean conglomerate KG Group, promises many big things, starting with the brand's next car, the Torres mid-size SUV.
Will this promising-looking mid-sizer give SsangYong a fighting chance in one of Australia's most hotly contested new car segments?
Here's everything we know so far.
Doesn't SsangYong already sell a mid-size SUV in Australia? Yep, the Korando (short for Korea Can Do!) is still on the market in Australia, an underdog value offering, with compelling drive-away pricing (ranging from $30,990 to $37,990 across a three-variant range).
The Korando is on the smaller end for a mid-sizer though, more equivalent to segment-bending SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross than something more traditionally 'mid-size' like a Toyota RAV4.
The Torres is some 250mm longer, 20mm wider, and 81mm taller than the Korando, making it a proper size-up. In fact, it's even slightly longer but slightly narrower than a RAV4, well and truly placing the Torres between the Korando and Rexton in the Korean brand's local line-up.
SsangYong used to be pretty big on diesel, but internationally it seems the Torres only ships with a single 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, with the option of a mild-hybrid ISG setup.
This engine produces 125kW/280Nm, and while it is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission overseas, don't expect to see the manual option in Australia.
The Torres can also internationally be chosen with either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive layout. In comparison, the Korando used to be available as a diesel with all-wheel drive, but is now petrol 2WD only, giving the Torres a potential advantage.
Just like the smaller Korando which has an electric version overseas, the Torres is set to get a fully electric variant too.
While this has always been a part of SsangYong's plans for the Torres, recent spy shots show a camouflaged car, suggesting overhauled styling front and rear, as well as other details, like the fact that the rear axle doesn't appear to be driven, so it's likely the EV will be 2WD only. It should also gain an upgraded interior with a single panel spanning the dash for the digital instrument cluster and multimedia screen.
For reference, the electric version of the Korando, dubbed the e-Motion, produces 140kW with a 62kWh battery good for a 340km driving range. The brand has signalled its intention to launch electric vehicles in Australia, however is yet to confirm a release date for the Korando e-Motion.
SsangYong models have always had somewhat haphazard styling, with the Rexton and Musso only recently matching up their exterior look with a more contemporary spindle grille, LED light profile, and modern interior appointments like digital instrument clusters and big screens.
The Torres continues to move in that direction, while also cashing in on the current retro styling wave which seems to be overtaking the industry.
As such, the Torres' exterior is said to be a homage to the brand's earliest cars (when it assembled knock-down kits of the Willys Jeep - hence the Jeep-like grille) and features tough SUV lines, plenty of plastic claddings to allude to off-road prowess, but goes one step further to include a bump on the tailgate to reference where a spare wheel might once have been kept, notches on the roof like off-roaders of old, and thick C-Pillars with bumps on them to suggest a spot where one might keep a utility box.
It's all very tough and retro-inspired, but is off-set by contemporary light fittings and badgework, big city-slicking two-tone alloy wheels, and a new screen-heavy interior design with typically SsangYong unusual switchgear.
One of the biggest changes the brand's new owners committed to was dumping the SsangYong name.
Speaking to the media recently, the CEO of KG Group, Kwak Jea-sun said: "The name SsangYong Motor has a fandom with good memories, but it also has a painful image. From now, all SsangYong cars will come out to the world under the name of KG."
The timeline for this is unclear, nor is whether it is immediate enough to affect the Torres line-up. Thus far SsangYong Australia has not commented on the name change. The new name 'KG Mobility' is set to take effect in Korea when KG Group officially changes it in March 2023.
It is not the first time SsangYong has had its name and entire identity changed, as it was originally known as Dong-a Motor until 1986 when it was bought by SsangYong Business Group, a company that largely collapsed during the Asian Financial Crisis.
It is also yet to be seen how a new name might change the brand's fortunes in Australia. SsangYong (which translates to 'Double Dragon') while generally seen as an underdog in Australia, has a small but dedicated fanbase.
The Torres has a more simple line-up than the Korando overseas, and while we don't have local confirmation of price or equipment, some of the notable features available in its Korean home market include 17- to 20-inch alloy wheels, a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, separate 8.0-inch control panel below for climate functions, a 12.5-inch digital instrument cluster, 703 litres of boot space with the option for a powered tailgate, synthetic leather interior trim, eight-way power adjust heating and ventilation for both the front seats and heated outer rear seats, a wireless charging bay, built-in roller blinds for the rear windows, push-start ignition and keyless entry.
Safety features include eight airbags, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
SsangYong has said the Torres is due to launch in Australia this year, but has not been specific around timing, saying only that a launch was due in the later part of the year.
Part of the issue is the SUV's success in its Korean home market, where pre-orders have well exceeded initial supply.
Expect it to const significantly more than the Korando, sitting between the late $30,000 to mid $40,000 region.
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