Details of a hybrid KGM SsangYong Torres – using tech from BYD – have been leaked ahead of its launch, with the Australian arm keen to add the Toyota RAV4 rival to its line-up.
The KGM SsangYong Torres Hybrid using technology from Chinese car maker BYD is about to go on sale in South Korea ahead of its global launch – which could see it take on the hot-selling Toyota RAV4 in Australia.
A spec sheet published on South Korean forum Autospy reveals initial details of the Torres Hybrid, including its powertrain, equipment levels and pricing ahead of an imminent on-sale date in South Korea.
KGM SsangYong Australia told Drive it is keen to have the Torres Hybrid added to the line-up, however it said it has not yet secured an allocation and cannot commit to an arrival date or price.
It comes as the battery-electric version – the Torres EVX – has been put on pause for Australia as the local office re-evaluates “the best time to introduce it” to showrooms.
Sales of hybrids in Australia jumped 76 per cent year-on-year in 2024, with 172,696 hybrids making up 14 per cent of total new vehicle sales – with the Toyota RAV4 the most popular.
The mid-size Torres SUV – the first model from SsangYong to use the new ‘KGM’ branding in Australia – was introduced here in late 2024 as a petrol-only competitor to the RAV4, as well as the Kia Sportage, GWM Haval H6 and Nissan X-Trail.
Now, with news of an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – a non-plug-in hybrid – the Torres range has the possibility to expand to petrol, hybrid and battery-electric choices by the end of 2025.
According to the leaked details, the Torres Hybrid powertrain – branded ‘e-DHT’ (Efficiency-Dual Motor Hybrid Transmission) – reportedly combines an electric motor, 1.83kWh BYD Blade battery and 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
Power and driving range were not among the details included in the leaked information.
It is believed China’s BYD has supplied the hybrid technology for the Torres Hybrid, the two car makers forming a deal for battery production and hybrid component sharing in 2023.
As well as its BYD tie-up, KGM SsangYong signed a deal with another Chinese car maker in 2024 – Chery – to use its platforms and hybrid parts to fast-track development of a broader hybrid SUV line-up.
Leaked pricing details from Autospy revealed a South Korea price of 31.4 million won ($AU34,600) for the Torres Hybrid, $AU5000 over the petrol-only version’s 26.9 million won ($AU29,600) starting point.
In Australia, the current petrol-only Torres starts at $38,000 drive-away for the front-wheel drive ELX version, stretching to the top-spec Ultimate at $47,000 drive-away.
Standard equipment on the entry-level Torres Hybrid ‘T5’ sold in South Korea includes LED headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels outside, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment screen and ‘leatherette’ seat trim inside.
There’s also a full suite of driver assistance technology including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and rear parking assist.
Options include side steps, an upgraded Alpine audio system and KGM Link navigation.
A higher-spec Torres Hybrid T7 brings 18-inch ‘diamond cut’ alloy wheels, insulated front-row window glass, utility roof rack, roller blinds and KGM Link navigation among its extra features for an additional 4.95 million won ($AU5450).
The T7 can be optioned with a panoramic sunroof, two-tone exterior package, 20-inch alloy wheels and genuine leather seat upholstery among its extras.
BYD also supplies the electric components for battery-electric Torres EVX, which was set for Australian showrooms by the end of 2024 before its revised, yet-to-be confirmed arrival timing.
The Torres EVX has a 153kW/339Nm electric motor with a 73.4kWh battery and 462km WLTP claimed driving range.
The 2025 KGM SsangYong Actyon SUV has been shown by the car maker and earmarked for the local line-up later this year, while a battery-electric SsangYong Musso ute – also using the Torres’ underpinnings – has been locked in for Australia.
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