Renault Korea Automotive announced that its XM3 E-TECH Hybrid won the ‘Hybrid SUV of the Year’ award at the ‘2023 Car of the Year’ ceremony organized by the Korean Association of Automotive Journalists, held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan, Seoul on the afternoon of the 9th.
Having received accolades for ‘Compact SUV of the Year’ and ‘Design of the Year’ in 2021, this victory makes it a total of three prestigious titles for the XM3.
The ceremony featured Renault Korea’s CEO, Stephan Deblèze, who accepted the award for the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid in the ‘Hybrid SUV of the Year’ category.
In his acceptance speech, Deblèze highlighted that the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid, boasting a hybrid system closest to that of electric vehicles, is a model developed in Korea and manufactured at the Busan plant, receiving high praise from global consumers. He also emphasized that Renault Korea continues to challenge towards innovation since the announcement of its new mission.
Produced in Busan and exported worldwide, the XM3 is the result of domestic research teams from Renault Technologie Korea leading global projects in its research and development. The new concept coupe SUV XM3 meets both the practicality of an SUV and the comfort of a sedan, characterized by its stunning design and an array of advanced convenience and safety features.
The XM3 E-Tech Hybrid, launched in the domestic market at the end of October last year, features a hybrid driving system incorporating the hybrid technology know-how from Renault Group’s F1 machines, making it the closest hybrid system to an electric vehicle. As a result, the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid has been recognized as the best hybrid vehicle by experts and actual buyers in the European market since its initial launch.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr