The brand previously known as SsangYong has big plans - and a core product development partner.

ARRIVAL of the first model to come from the brand Kiwis have known as Ssangyong is close.

The Torres, a rugged-looking SUV of similar size to a Subaru Forester, will introduce KGM, the nameplate short-hand for KG Mobility, which pulled SsangYong from bankruptcy last year.

Brand ambition in New Zealand is likely to shared when high-ups from South Korea visit next month for an event expected to also be a introduction to Torres.

Internationally the marque sees itself on an upward trajectory, ultimately with electric product, having now cemented an agreement with China’s BYD.

The maker of the Kiwi-favoured Atto 3 and other passenger products will provide battery-dedicated platforms on which future KGMs will base.

It has already spoken of intent to deliver two additional sports utilities and a utility, all battery-dedicated, with production set to begin later this year.

The tray deck is expected to be a version of the BYD utility, which is coming out this year. BYD here has promised to have it at the national field days at Mystery Creek, in mid-June.

KGM has assured its main focus will continue to be on sport utility vehicles and crossovers.

All this occurs as the brand is also setting out to redefine its image, not just internationally but also in New Zealand, where distribution changed hands last year.

Torres for now positions as a petrol model but it is drawn into the move to battery power, though that has been an in-house effort.

The internal combustion version originally availed in front-drive with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox and putting out 121kW, but an all-wheel drive option added latterly is thought be coming for NZ.

However, the full plan seems likely to stay under wraps under a media conference next month.

The all-electric version has been previewed by a concept called EVX (video above). Unveiling of a production version in April is planned, but export plans have not yet been shared. Technical details are also sparse, but KGM is promising 461 kilometres of range.

Though it has only just begun to hit export markets, Torres is familiar to South Koreans, as it entered production in 2022. It therefore stands as the last car designed and engineered in the SsangYong era.

It has the same platform as the Korando, but is larger in size, to fulfil intention of it being a fresh choice siting between that type and the largest SsangYong SUV, the Rexton.

The styling is Jeep-esque. The grille is very blunt and square, with some sleek headlights giving it a modern look. The lower bumper is also sporting some chunky lower trims to make it look even more tough. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are standard, rising to 20-inch rims on range-topping models.

The boxy theme is also strong in the silhouette and there is conjecture the design team took inspiration from the Kia Sorento and also referenced the Hummer EV, in respect to the squared wheel arches.

One design quirk occurs at the rear, with a hump in the tailgate which appears to mimic a spare wheel.

The interior design includes a modern-looking dashboard with two 10.25-inch displays. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

SsangYong’s ownership story is colourful.

It has previously been with South Korea’s Daewoo, China’s Shanghai Automotive (best known for having MG) and India’s Mahindra and Mahindra. In 2021 it was subject of a failed takeover by an American outfit, Edison Group.

In late 2020 SsangYong entered bankruptcy, citing Covid-19 pandemic challenges. After multiple attempts to find a buyer, chemical and steel company KG Group acquired the automaker in mid-2022.

KGM/SsangYong distribution here is now with Inchcape Group, the giant United Kingdom-listed vehicle distributor and retailer, best known here for having Subaru New Zealand.

It last year took over national distribution of SsangYong and LDV, a division of China’s SAIC, from those makes’ mutual original rights’ holder, which at one point had cited intent to bring in Torres itself, as a SsangYong.