Latest news with #TorresHybrid
Korea Herald
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
KG Mobility's Actyon Hybrid blends EV-like smoothness with SUV practicality
KG Mobility, with its expertise in sport utility vehicles, is stepping up its hybrid rollout as it aims to break out of the so-called 'three middles' of Korea's auto industry: Renault Korea, General Motors Korea and itself. KG Mobility launched the Actyon Hybrid in early July, just four months after introducing its first hybrid, the Torres Hybrid. In that short time, the company has enhanced the hybrid system's capabilities and driving experience, while successfully leveraging its strengths in SUV design and maintaining affordability. On Thursday, The Korea Herald test-drove the Actyon Hybrid over a 90-kilometer route from the KG Mobility Experience Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province. The drive covered a variety of road conditions, from congested city streets to highways and winding country roads. The Actyon's tough image carried over from the lineup's debut in 2005 has evolved into a more futuristic kind of strength, subtly reminiscent of a "Star Wars" stormtrooper helmet. The front features a slimmer, sleeker horizontal grille and headlamp layout compared to previous editions, while the overall body retains its bold, armored aesthetic with restrained yet defined curves and contours. The interior design builds on the company's strength in SUVs, creating a space well-suited not only for families but also for leisure use, with standout spaciousness and convenient features. The two-row SUV offers generous legroom, with 1,055 millimeters in the front and 939 millimeters in the rear. Up to 1,424 liters of cargo space is available with the second-row seats folded, giving enough space to lie down comfortably. The front seat can also be adjusted from the back using electric controls positioned midway along the side of the seat, making the rear space more practical and versatile. KG Mobility highlighted that the model's 1.83 kilowatt per hour battery — the largest among hybrids in Korea — enabled it to cover 94 percent of city driving without engine intervention, branding its hybrid concept as an 'electric vehicle without the need for charging.' True to this claim, the SUV relied primarily on battery power during the initial test drive through Gangnam's heavy traffic, with power source changes displayed on the digital cluster. Transitions between the engine and motor were seamless, with gentle acceleration and braking minimizing pitch and roll, as is typical in EVs. During high-speed driving, road noise was noticeable, but cabin noise was lower than in internal combustion models. The driving experience, including steering, was smooth and comfortable, with minimal vibrations or instability, comparable to higher-priced vehicles. The company also highlighted improved vibration control and enhanced management of the engine's revolutions per minute, a key factor related to engine noise and driving smoothness, compared to the hybrid system used in the Torres Hybrid. The gasoline hybrid model's official fuel efficiency is 15 kilometers per liter, with city driving efficiency also at 15.6 kilometers per liter. Thanks to its high reliance on battery power, city fuel efficiency is improved by 56 percent compared to the gasoline model. The real-world efficiency recorded during the test was 14 kilometers per liter. KG Mobility's ambition to penetrate the hybrid SUV market with the Actyon is reflected in its pricing strategy. While being offered in a single trim, it is priced at 36.95 million won ($26,800), lower than the base trims of competing hybrid SUVs from other automakers in Korea.
Korea Herald
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
KG Mobility bets on hybrids as core growth driver in long-term strategy
Korea's sport utility vehicle maker KG Mobility announced Tuesday that it is positioning hybrid electric vehicles as a key pillar of its future growth strategy, signaling enhanced participation in the segments gaining global traction as an alternative to battery EVs. The announcement was made during the company's presentation of its mid- to long-term strategy at its headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Presenting its hybrid concept as 'an electric vehicle without the need for charging,' the company said it aims to offer a quiet and smooth driving experience similar to that of EVs, while addressing concerns about charging infrastructure and safety. 'Unlike conventional hybrids, which add a supplementary motor to internal combustion engines to improve fuel efficiency, KG Mobility's hybrid vehicles are developed from EV platforms,' said Kwon Yong-il, research and development headquarters head at KG Mobility. 'Our goal is to retain the core benefits of EVs while alleviating concerns over fire risk and charging inconvenience.' As part of its ongoing development of hybrid powertrains, the company, once known for its diesel models, said it is expanding beyond conventional hybrids. 'KGM is also co-developing new xEV systems with China's Chery Automobile, including extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which aim to deliver high efficiency at a price point comparable to that of conventional hybrids,' said Kwak Jeong-hyun, chief strategy officer at KG Mobility. PHEVs provide a longer battery-powered driving range than conventional hybrids. EREVs take it further by using a gasoline engine only as a generator, supporting the battery to maximize efficiency and extend range. To drive growth with its new powertrains, KG Mobility announced plans to accelerate the rollout of new eco-friendly SUV and pickup models, continuing its legacy of producing larger vehicles. The company aims to launch seven additional eco-friendly models by 2030. As the first of these new launches, KG Mobility announced at the event that it will introduce the Actyon Hybrid SUV in the second half of 2025. The company explained that the gasoline-powered version released in 2024 underperformed in the market, partly due to the absence of a hybrid option. The upcoming model is expected to be priced at around 37 million won ($27,200). It will be equipped with KG Mobility's efficiency-Dual motor Hybrid Transmission system, co-developed with Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD — the same powertrain used in the Torres Hybrid, the company said. Amid concerns over the company's reliance on Chinese partners such as BYD and Chery Automobile for its electrification efforts, KG Mobility responded that it is also exploring partnerships with global companies for future model development. During the event, the company pledged to revive its business with a comprehensive strategy that includes expanding its eco-friendly vehicle lineup and strengthening its global sales network. KG Mobility noted a shift in its sales structure, with exports now accounting for 70 percent of total sales, up from 40 percent in 2022. 'It has been two years and ten months (since KG Group acquired KG Mobility). I have diagnosed why the company has struggled, and now we are beginning treatment,' said Kwak Jae-sun, chairman of KG Group and KG Mobility. 'We will work together with every employee to rebuild this company. The difficult times (following its insolvency in 2009) cannot come again.'
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
KG Mobility launches HEV version of Torres SUV
South Korean automaker KG Mobility Corporation (KGM) has launched a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) version of its Torres SUV, marking the automaker's entry into the fast-growing global hybrid vehicle segment for the first time. The new Torres Hybrid is equipped with a 1.83 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack and a Dual-Tech Hybrid System, and a dedicated e-DHT transmission, providing a 41% fuel-efficiency improvement over the petrol model according to the automaker. The Dual-Tech Hybrid System supports three driving modes: battery electric vehicle (BEV), hybrid-electric drive and internal combustion (ICE) engine drive. It can travel up to 15.7 km on a litre of petrol in hybrid mode and 94 km in EV mode in urban areas on a full charge – driven by a 130 kW motor. Prices start at KRW31.4m (US$21,625) for the T5 variant, rising to KRW36.35m (US$25,040) for the T7 model. Since it was acquired by South Korea's KG Group in late 2022, KGM - previously known as Ssangyong Motor - has been busy expanding into new segments of the vehicle market, particularly with the adoption of more environmentally friendly technologies. The automaker launched the Torres EVX, a battery-powered version of the Torres, last year and launched the Musso EV pickup truck earlier this month. Last year, KGM also signed a strategic partnership with China's Chery Automobile Company, involving platform licensing and product sharing aimed at helping it strengthen its SUV line-up. The deal also gives KGM access to readily available new energy vehicle (NEV) technologies, including vehicle platforms. A KG Mobility spokesperson confirmed the company 'aims to lead the popularization of hybrid vehicles by introducing various HEV models.' "KG Mobility launches HEV version of Torres SUV" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
