Update: ‘SsangYong Korando E-Motion in S. Korea’ section updated.
After prolonged delays, the SsangYong Korando e-Motion finally broke cover in June 2021. The Korando e-Motion is the first advertised electric vehicle from SsangYong, and production began on 14 June 2021.
Design & Features
The SsangYong Korando e-Motion features a modified front-end, typical of ICE-BEV conversions as cooling requirements are lower in an electric car. Ssangyong said the e-SUV’s design is inspired by nature, particularly animals that have adapted to their environment through evolution, such as a shark’s fins and scales to reduce water wind resistance, thus displaying a design maturity with a dynamic style.
Instead of an upper grille, the electric Korando has a clean and sleek surface in the body colour, with an e-Motion badge. In addition, there’s a concave and textured surface in place of the black panel between the lamps. The recast lower bumper features a dotted section near the fog lamp housings with a blue highlight. The headlamps also have blue accents to signal the presence of an eco-friendly powertrain under the bonnet.
There are some distinctive cues on the Korando e-Motion’s sides, but they are not as extensive. The mirror housing is partly in blue, and the same is featured as a highlight on the rear door panels. The aerodynamic design of the 17-inch wheels is unique to the pure electric variant of the Korando. A charging cap on the left-hand front fender covers the EV’s charging port.
There are several minor design changes at the rear. The all-electric Korando features clear-lens taillights and a Korando inscription on the chrome strip between them. Moreover, it has a blue SsangYong logo and an e-Motion badge at the same place where the ICE variant has the Korando badge. The e-Motion badge’s “e” letter is in blue, and the sportier faux skid plate of the rear bumper is entirely in blue.
SsangYong has said the electric SUV takes a new route to body design and uses different materials for maximum efficiency. A voluminous yet aerodynamic outline is used, and styling is adopted for urban driving. Improving energy efficiency is a hood made using aluminium, a closed radiator grille, among other changes, to decrease weight, improve aerodynamics and lower the car’s centre of gravity.
The interior design of the Korando e-Motion is no different from its ICE donor. SsangYong has applied a dual-tone blue & black colour scheme, with blue to highlight the model’s eco-friendliness.
SsangYong has equipped the new EV with some of the best technologies it has to offer, such as a 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster, 9-inch Infocon touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charger, 8-way electrically adjustable front seats with 4-way lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat, and more. The company calls the combination of a digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system in models ‘Blaze Cockpit,’ and applies the same branding in the electric SUV.
The ADAS suite of the Korando E-Motion includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Speed Limiter, Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection.
Specifications
The SsangYong Korando e-Motion employs a single electric motor that spins the front wheels. This motor generates 140 kW (188 bhp) and 360 Nm of torque. A 61.5 kWh battery pack, sourced from LG Chem, supplies juice to the motor. It provides a range of approximately 339 km or 211 miles on the WLTP cycle. Fast-charging to 80% SoC takes about 33 minutes. Its top speed is capped at 156 km/h (97 mph) to protect range. The driver can adjust the brake regeneration level using paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
SsangYong offers a range-saving heat pump in the Korando e-Motion. The travel range of an EV can be significantly reduced during winter as low temperature increases the internal resistance of Lithium-ion batteries. On top of that, more energy is spent on cabin heating. A heat pump is used to overcome this natural shortcoming of reduction in efficiency during winter.
First reviews
Shropshire Star has reviewed the SsangYong Korando e-Motion in the UK and finds it an absolute value-for-money model. The review notes that it is quieter to drive than the Korando petrol and diesel variants, and that’s not only because of the electric powertrain. SsangYong has taken measures to reduce noise with additional sound deadening within the body panels and behind the dashboard. Plus, a new subframe leads to reduced vibrations. Acceleration is linear, not exciting, but quicker than the ICE Korando. The range during the media drive was very close to the officially stated 211-mile figure.
Competitors
The SsangYong Korando e-Motion would compete with slightly smaller electric SUVs like the Hyundai Kona EV and the Kia e-Niro. The Kona EV offers a 305-km (190-mile) range with the 39.2 kWh battery pack and a 484 km (301-mile) range with an extended-range 64 kWh battery pack. The Kia e-Niro is available with the same battery pack options. It can travel 289 km (179 miles) in the standard-range configurations and up to 455 km (282 miles) in the extended-range configurations.
Variants, Price & Release Date
On 15 September 2021, SsangYong shipped the first batch of the Korando e-Motion from South Korea’s Pyeongtaek Port to Europe. The first units went to EV-friendly European countries like Germany and also the UK. The batch consisted of 200 units, and the company said in a blog post (on SsangYong ALLWAYS) on 24 September 2021 that sales in the first markets would begin in November 2021, which did not go as per script.
In the UK, SsangYong’s website states early 2022 as the sales commencement date. Clive Messenger, the newly appointed sales director of SsangYong UK, has expertise in EVs and will likely take up the Korando e-Motion launch as his first major assignment. According to a report from Auto Express, the Korando e-Motion will be available in the UK in ELX, Ventura, and Ultimate trims.
The ELX trim will cost GBP 30,495 (incl. PiCG) and include features like a 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smart high beam, reverse camera, AEB, and LKA. The Ventura trim, priced at GBP 34,995, will include upgrades like a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated TomTom navigation, dual fabric and artificial leather seats, leather steering wheel, and rear parking sensors.
The top-of-the-line Ultimate trim will retail at GBP 37,995 and pack every premium feature SsangYong has to offer in the Korando E-Motion. Heat pump, power tailgate, electrically adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats, leather upholstery, front parking sensors, auto-dimming IRVM, and wireless smartphone charger are the main highlights of the top-end grade.
Spain is one of the first launch markets of the Korando e-Motion. Here, SsangYong offers the SUV in Urban and Limited trims for a price of EUR 36,000 and EUR 39,000, respectively. In the Netherlands, the Korando e-Motion’s prices start at EUR 39,990.
Later this year, SsangYong will unveil a new mid-size electric SUV (codename: SsangYong J100). After this model, it will introduce an electric pick-up, but the fruition of plans depends on how quickly the new owners move with the revival plan.
Ssangyong Korando e-Motion heading to Australia & New Zealand
The SsangYong Korando e-Motion could go to New Zealand and Australia as well. It could be the cheapest electric car in the region. Drive has received a confirmation from SsangYong Australia that the Australian launch of the Korando e-Motion is “under consideration.” As for the launch in New Zealand, the brand’s local distributor has told Stuff that the new electric SUV is “most definitely” in the pipeline.
In 2021, SsangYong recorded a profit in Australia in the first half of the year for the first time since its establishment in November 2018, Chosun Biz reported on 27 August 2021. Ssangyong’s sales in Australia and New Zealand grew 114% and 43% Y-o-Y, respectively, in H1 2021. In addition, New Zealand’s high EV ambitions will strengthen the business case of the Korando e-Motion in the region. Expect the launch to unfold later this year.
SsangYong Korando E-Motion in S. Korea
SsangYong has already started taking pre-orders for the Korando E-Motion in South Korea. The new electric SUV starts in the company’s home market in the E3 trim priced at KRW 40,565,000 (GBP 25,127) and offers an E5 trim priced at KRW 45,987,000 (GBP 28,486). However, there’s an electric vehicle subsidy yet to be finalised for the Korando E-Motion, after which the prices will fall.
The initial response seems to be great for the Korando E-Motion with Pulse News reporting on February 3, 2022, that the brand has garnered more than 3,500 pre-orders for the electric SUV. Ssangyong has also secured the highest warranty period for the Korando E-Motion in Korea. The warranty period is 10 years/160,000 km.
Ssangyong acquired by Edison Motors
South Korean carmaker Ssangyong Motor has been sold to a consortium led by Edison Motors for 305 Billion Won (USD 255 million), according to reports emerging from South Korea. The Mahindra-owned brand has been struggling to generate profits for a few years, with sales dropping by 21 per cent in 2021. In the period between January and September 2021, Ssangyong recorded an operating loss of 238 billion Won out of its overall revenue of 1.8 trillion Won, say reports.
Back in 2010, Mahindra acquired the brand with a 75 per cent stake with hopes of reviving sales and taking it into international markets. However, the business plan didn’t pan out as Mahindra hoped it would and Ssangyong emerged as a liability rather than a profit-making arm. Consequently, Mahindra terminated its investments in Ssangyong but struggled to find buyers for the South Korean brand. This led Ssangyong to file for bankruptcy with 100 billion Won of an outstanding loan. With Edison Motors now in the driver’s seat, the consortium will look to turn the fortunes of the struggling brand, with new EV launches.
Ssangyong increases dealer footprint in the UK
Ssangyong Motor is amidst a rapid expansion spree in the UK. Despite the global sales slump owing to the semiconductor shortage, the brand is continuing to upscale its footprint in the UK with as many as 16 new dealerships that were opened last year, reports AM Online. 14 of these were former Mitsubishi sites and the brand plans to continue expanding in 2022.
The new dealerships are present in Peterborough, Pershore, Hull, Bicester and Southampton among other areas. The brand won’t press the pause button anytime soon as it plans to expand to 75 dealerships by mid-2022. With no upfront fees, zero-cost signage and no charges for special tools and computer diagnostics, the brand has attracted potential dealers.
Dave Rose, head of franchising for SsangYong Motors UK, said, “We have big plans in place to develop the network even further over the next 12 months and if we achieve these plans, we will be delighted.”
Featured Image Source: SsangYong
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