SsangYong Motor is inviting media to a test drive event for the Torres, named after the Torres del Paine National Park, as it embarks on a journey to expand its presence in the global market.
Held on November 19-20 (local time) at Torres National Park in Chile, the event saw over 50 attendees including prominent automotive journalists and local dealership representatives, featuring a press conference and test drive activities for the Torres.
The event location, Torres National Park, is renowned as one of the last remaining breathtaking landscapes in southern South America’s Patagonia. Its scenic beauty makes it a bucket-list destination for adventurers worldwide.
SsangYong chose the name Torres to signify a true SUV that embodies the values of adventure, challenge, and a free lifestyle, mirrored in the natural beauty of Torres National Park.
This event saw participation from media representatives from key regions such as Chile, Colombia, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia, reflecting the high interest in the Torres.
After its domestic launch in July, which set a record for pre-orders in SsangYong’s history, the Torres has continued to receive accolades in the market, achieving cumulative contracts of 80,000 units and total sales of 15,833 units as of October.
With shipments to South America starting in September, the Torres is set to enhance awareness in major regional markets through this global test drive event, marking the beginning of a full-scale global sales effort.
After the test drive, the participating journalists expressed their satisfaction with the striking exterior design typical of a true SUV, the sleekness of the interior and advanced automotive refinement, as well as performance and ride comfort. They believe the Torres will create a new wave in the global SUV market and satisfy local consumers with SsangYong’s unique product competitiveness.
The Torres is the first vehicle designed under SsangYong’s new design philosophy, “Powered by Toughness,” allowing intuitive insight into the robust, adventurous spirit of an SUV.
The interior minimizes physical buttons, providing a futuristic and sleek aesthetic, while surpassing traditional mid-size SUV space and cargo capacity. Additionally, the second-row reclining seats ensure comfort during long journeys.
A new 1.5ℓ turbo gasoline engine (e-XGDi150T) has been paired with a third-generation Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission. Adaptations based on customer feedback have improved acceleration performance by 10% compared to the previous engine when starting.
SsangYong stated, “Through the global launch of the Torres, we gained confidence that we can succeed not only domestically but also in overseas markets. We will actively expand our global marketing strategy, enhance brand recognition, and strengthen our efforts to penetrate foreign markets to increase our sales volume.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr