KGM Torres Hybrid: A Refined and Economical Step โForward
The KGM Torres, formerly a SsangYong model, now offers a hybrid powertrain option thatโฃ addresses a โkey weakness of its petrolโ predecessors: fuel consumption. The hybrid version carries โคa price premium of 53,000 CZK over the conventional Torres with a six-speed automatic transmission, but delivers increased power (150 kWโฃ vs.120 kW) and improved refinement.
Drivers familiar with previous KGM (formerly SsangYong) models will appreciate the improved fuel economy. A previous test of a smaller Korando with four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission yielded โข9.5 liters per 100km, even with careful driving. The Torres Hybrid demonstrably improves โขon this, achieving 6.3 liters โขper โข100km during โa week-long test.While this is a significant betterment,the reviewer notes that aโ Renault Espace E-tech with a smallerโค three-cylinder engine achieved 5.6 l/100 km, suggesting further optimization is โpossible.
Theโ KGM hybridโ system operates in both series and parallel modes. Unlike some hybrid systems where the combustion engine solely functions as a generator, the Torres’ system allows both the engine and electric motor to drive the front wheels, similar to Toyota’s hybrid technology. This allows for electric-only driving at lower speeds, enablingโค silent and emission-free city โคdriving. The combustion engine engages whenโ the traction battery is low or under higher speeds and loads.
Turbocharging โensures a โquiet cabin experience, avoiding the higher engine revs often associated with naturally aspirated engines in competing hybrid models. Transitions between electric and combustion power areโฃ nearly seamless.
The Torres Hybridโ also excels in โpractical driving scenarios. It features hill-start assist that reliably prevents rollback when reversing uphill, a feature lacking in some competitors like the โVolkswagen Tayron plug-in hybrid.This is attributed to the Torres’ useโ of a conventional six-speed automatic transmission with faster engagement compared to the Tayron’s dual-clutch transmission.
The combined power output provides sufficient dynamics for typical drivers.While the hybrid can induce wheel slippage during hard acceleration from a standstill, the extra 30 kW โคand 300 Nm of torque from the โelectric motor largely โขoffset the 170 kg weight increase compared to theโข petrolโ model. The hybrid’s topโค speed is limited to 180 km/h, slightly lower than the 191โข km/h achieved by the petrol version.
The top-specโฃ Premium trim, priced at 912,800 CZK, includes 20-inch wheels as standard. While the reviewer suggests 18-inch wheels (standardโ on the 862,800 CZK Clever trim) would suffice,โ the largerโฃ wheels don’t significantly compromise ride comfort, though they will incur higher tire replacement costs.
The torres’ driving experience is described as somewhat reminiscent of โคthe larger Rexton, with a noticeable degreeโค of body roll during cornering โฃand a slower steering ratio. Though, these โcharacteristics are quickly adaptable โคto, giving the KGM Torres a distinctly “old school” feel.
Source: auto.cz/Michalโฃ Kollert (image and original โขreview basis)
