Torres EV brings premium quality from KGM
They say, whoever they are. that big is not always beautiful. In the case of this visually striking large SUV, if not beautiful, it certainly has striking looks.
The new Torres is the first KGM model to appear in the UK in both petrol and EV form. The Korean car maker, formerly SsangYong, has been acquired by another Korean firm, KGM Global, with all of the previous models rebranded under that name.
Kevin Griffin, managing director of KGM UK, said: “The SUV market is continually expanding and subdividing, and with Torres, we are filling the gap between semi-medium-sized SUVs such as Korando and large SUVs like Rexton. This move will create an additional segment in the market and open new opportunities for us as we continue to develop our product offering that adds value and originality.”
A big SUV that offers excellent cabin space, class leading stowage space and in Korean tradition, packed with standard kit, the Torres EV offers high end battery power, delivers a range of nearly 290 miles.
And then there is a seven-year, 90,000 mile warranty to boot. It has a striking presence, although it seems to be a bit of a mix-and-match creation, looking much like a Jeep at the front and having the look of a Discovery to the rear. That’s not to say it doesn’t work and definitely catches the eye.
KGM says this EV version distinguishes itself through innovative technology with a high-powered battery, supplied by rival car maker and battery expert BYD, for electric performance. The 73.4Kwh battery and 152Kw electric motor deliver 207hp and 339 Nm of torque .
In addition, like many EVs, it can power household electrical goods through a DC-DC V2L (vehicle-to-load) connector. The lithium iron phosphate battery, says the firm, offers a driving range of 287 miles (WLTP) on a single charge, reducing significantly on range anxiety. This is also diminishing as a result of the charging infrastructure growing almost daily.
It sits high off the ground and has the rugged look of an off-roader, with slim headlights, and a deep air scoop and a slim illuminated grille set up to give it a distinctive look. Sitting on 18 or 20-inch alloys, it offers more or less the same chunky looks as the petrol version but dispenses with the faux front tow hook and skid plate.
The interior features a sleek and spacious design and an ergonomically designed dashboard features a dual 12.3-inch digital interface to maximise driver control. It has a premium feel, this model is well over £40k and has leather seats, part soft touch finish. has ample room for five, offering many creature comforts and packed with standard equipment. In addition there is a usable 'floating' central console for extra practicality, mood lighting and metallic accents.
The touchscreen controls major functions like smartphone connectivity, navigation and infotainment, although sometimes it was a little slow to fire up. Having said that, the display is clear and intuitive. Standard features include Apple CarPlay, Google Android Auto, DAB radio, and front USB and AUX ports.
The powered seats are comfortable and supportive and there is excellent head and legroom all round. A big vehicle and currently a five-seater, there is plenty of room to create a third row of seats. On the road, it is rapid for such a big vehicle, hitting 60mph in just eight seconds in what used to be considered hot hatch territory, so it's a fun drive.
A shift by wire toggle switch replaces the gear selector to free up space. On the road, the vehicle drives well and for a car of its type handles reasonably well, feeling stable with only a slight wallow on corners The ride can be a bit unsettled on lesser roads, but overall is a comfortable place to be.
The stowage area is simply huge with cargo space ranging from 839 to 1,662 litres with the rear seats folded. KGM claims is best-in-class luggage capacity and managing to fit a chunky sideboard inside with room to spare, showed it was plenty big enough for family needs.
Towing ability is good with up to 1.5 tonnes with a braked trailer, and 750kg for an unbraked trailer. The safety kit is also comprehensive with eight airbags, emergency braking, lane departure and lane assist, stability programme, traction control and rear cross-traffic alert. To name a few. The Torres is quite a start from KGM more models are sure to follow its small but growing stable. Then there's that warranty.....
Factfile
KGM Torres EVX K40 auto
Price: £47,495
Mechanical: 207hp, 152.2kWh electric motor and battery driving front wheels via automatic transmission
Max speed: 109mph
0-62mph: 8.1 seconds
Combined range: 287 miles
Insurance: 48 (TBC)
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
Warranty: 7yrs/90,000 miles
