Following the debut of the SsangYong Korando crossover early this year, the South Korea-based carmaker has announced the development of its all-electric version. Let us have a look at the specs.
The SUV will come powered by a single electric engine rated at 188 hp (140 kW). It will not accelerate beyond 150 km/h (93 mph) and will ship with a 61.5-kWh battery NEDC-rated for up to 420 kilometers (261 miles) of range. Practice shows that the actual usable range will be closer to 320 km (200 miles). Its main rival – the Hyundai Kona – has 545 km (338 miles) of NEDC-rated range.
Nothing is being revealed about the exterior and cabin, so we expect both to be similar to what the ICE-powered model comes with. Originally based on the SIV-2 Concept that debuted three years ago, the car measures 4,452 mm (14.61 ft.) long and boasts 2,675 mm (8.78 ft.) of wheelbase.
On its home market of South Korea, the Korando whips with only one engine: a 1.6-liter turbo diesel rated at 136 hp (100 kW) and 324 Nm (239 lb-ft). In Europe, it is also available with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine rated at 163 hp (122 kW) and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft). Both can be obtained with a six-speed manual or Aisin automatic transmission, and the latter option supports AWD.
Sales of the Korando E100 will launch in early 2021, and a mild hybrid based on the abovementioned 1.6 TDI version will become available in early 2022.
The SsangYong Korando starts from £20,000 in Great Britain. It should be noted that the e-SUV has no direct competitors in Europe, since both the Hyundai Kona and the Kia e-Niro are smaller. Furthermore, the Kona EV starts from a hefty £35,100 in Great Britain, whereas its ICE counterpart can be purchased for £17,505.