KGM Torres HEV and Musso EV: Out of the shadows
New name, new models: Ssangyong became KGM, the visual appearance became more self-confident. The Torres HEV and Musso EV are two new electrified models.
KGM? People are slowly getting used to the new name of the former Ssangyong brand. With the takeover by the Korean industrial giant KG comes not only a name change, but also a strategy to grow the fourth-largest Korean car brand. KGM does not want to reinvent the wheel, however, but is relying on the concept that proved successful at Ssangyong: delivering a lot of car for little money. The KGM Torres with the new hybrid drive is available from as little as 37,990 francs. With a length of 4.70 meters, it plays in a league in which most of the - non-Chinese - competition is significantly more expensive. And it also comes with a five-year warranty including Europe-wide assistance.
Visually, KGM's new design language steps out of the - dubious - shadow of earlier Ssangyong models. The Torres, which has been on the market since 2022, demonstrates the newfound self-confidence. The look and feel of the interior is also impressive, with the generous use of hard plastic broken up by a harmoniously placed decorative strip on the dashboard. And in front of the driver are two 12.5-inch displays. Most of the vehicle's functions can be controlled via these, including the air conditioning or the - very sensitive - driver distraction warning messages, which can be switched off and the driving mode selected. The shift paddles are located behind the steering wheel - not for gear selection, however, but for the recuperation level.
This is unusual for a full hybrid, but it proves its worth in everyday use. The hybrid is significantly more frugal on the road than the pure petrol engine and saves around 2 liters with a consumption of 6.5 l/100 km according to the on-board computer. The hybrid system focuses on the electric drive, which at 130 kW/177 hp is more powerful than the 1.5-liter petrol engine with 110 kW/150 hp. The system output of 150 kW/204 hp is delivered exclusively to the front axle. Those who want - or need - all-wheel drive still have to opt for the petrol engine with automatic transmission.
The drive is extremely cultivated in everyday use; only when driving at a sporty pace is pressure on the gas pedal accompanied by a howl from the petrol engine, as is familiar from vehicles with a CVT gearbox. However, the hybrid drive indirectly benefits the handling: KGM has revised the chassis to compensate for the additional weight of the 1.83 kWh battery, which is supplied by BYD. As a result, the Torres Hybrid sits more firmly on the road than the petrol engine and body roll is efficiently prevented. This makes traveling in the spacious interior a pleasant experience. With a trunk capacity of 703 to 1662 liters, there is also enough space for family and luggage.
With the Musso EV, electrification at KGM is going even further. Ssangyong has been present in Switzerland for twenty years - but the history of the brand is much older. It began forty years ago with the licensed production of Jeep models. KGM is building on this past with the new all-electric Musso EV pick-up, exploring a territory that has so far only been occupied in Switzerland by the Chinese manufacturers Maxus and JAC. With a spacious crew cab, a maximum payload of 500 kilograms and an interior that is largely similar to that of the Torres, the Musso EV falls more into the category of lifestyle pick-ups than tough workhorses.
What's more, the 174 kW/237 hp electric vehicle is only available with front-wheel drive and uses the self-supporting body of the Torres as a basis instead of a ladder frame. Thanks to the self-levelling independent suspension on the rear axle and the full range of assistance systems, it is correspondingly comfortable to drive on a day-to-day basis. With an 80 kWh battery, a WLTP range of 379 kilometers and a maximum charging power of 120 kW, it requires more than half an hour of patience during charging breaks. Another strong argument here is the price. The Musso EV costs CHF 43,230 in the basic configuration, and KGM offers a seven-year new car warranty and a full 10 years or one million kilometers on the traction battery.
