√2023 SsangYong Torres revealed, Australian launch planned

Struggling Korean brand SsangYong has shown its first new model in four years, the off-road-themed Torres mid-size SUV. An Australian launch is planned, but timing remains unclear.

The 2023 SsangYong Torres has been revealed in South Korea, ahead of an Australian launch confirmed to occur sometime down the track.

The Toyota RAV4-sized Torres is SsangYong’s first new model in four years – and its first since entered receivership at the end of 2020 – and slots between the small to mid-size Korando, and large Rexton in the brand’s SUV range.

While SsangYong Australia has confirmed an intention to launch the Torres locally, launch timing is yet to be confirmed, as left-hand-drive markets receive priority after production starts this month.

Previewed last month, the Torres (codenamed J100) draws links to SsangYong’s earliest models, with a seven-slot grille from the original Jeep-derived 1980s Korando, and ‘winged’ front lights akin to that car’s successor.

While yet to be confirmed, the Torres’ proportions suggest it’s based on a car-derived platform like the current Korando (or a Toyota RAV4), rather than a SsangYong Musso ute’s body-on-frame architecture.

Yet the new SUV’s rugged styling is aimed at more adventurous buyers, with flared wheel arches, a bulge in the tailgate hinting at a 4WD’s spare wheel, front and rear metallic skid plates, and black body cladding.

Fitted as standard are 17-inch alloy wheels – with 18-inch and 20-inch units available from the options list – while buyers can select from 12 exterior colours, all with a contrasting C-pillar, and five with a black contrast roof.

The C-pillar can be optioned with a variety of accessories, including Land Rover Defender-like storage boxes to boost practicality.

No dimensions have been announced, however SsangYong quotes 703 litres of space with the rear seats up and adjustable luggage floor in place – 30 per cent more than a Kia Sportage’s 543L – increasing to 1662 litres with the second row folded.

Up front, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen sits above an 8.0-inch display for the climate controls, while the driver receives a three-part instrument binnacle with digitised speed and gear readouts flanking a small colour display.

Available features include dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated electric front seats, heated rear seats, a heated leather steering wheel, and a choice of synthetic or genuine leather seats in black, brown, khaki and light grey.

A full suite of advanced safety systems are available, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and driver attention monitoring.

Government documents report a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sits under the bonnet – shared with the current Korando – driving the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Outputs are said to be rated at 125kW and 280Nm – 5kW up on Australian-market Korandos with the same engine. There’s no sign of a diesel engine.

Weight is rated at 1520kg with front-wheel drive or 1610kg with all-wheel drive – the former more than 100kg heavier than a petrol front-drive Korando Ultimate (1396kg).

An electric version of the Torres will be offered at a later date – which could share its 140kW motor and 61.5kWh battery with the electric Korando E-Motion – along with a dual-cab ute twin.

Production of the 2023 SsangYong Torres is due to begin in South Korea this month, ahead of first showroom arrivals likely in the weeks after, priced a few thousand more than an equivalent Korando model. An Australian launch is planned, but timing remains unclear.

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