SsangYong’s electrified Jeep rival unveiled … but will it be built?

Embattled Korean car-maker SsangYong has teased another intriguing electrified future model.

Codenamed KR10, the tough Jeep rival is promised to use “eco-friendly powertrains”, pointing towards electrification.

That would certainly be in keeping with the recent announcement from SsangYong that its first battery electric model, the e-Korando SUV, is now in production.

It has also issued sketches of an electric mid-sized SUV dubbed the J100 which is it says is slated for launch in 2022. An EV ute spin-off is expected to follow in 2023 or 2024.

SsangYong Australia has expressed interest in all these models.

No timing has been put on the arrival of a production version of the KR10, which SsangYong describes as “its next-generation SUV”.

SsangYong, the smallest mainstream Korean car maker, is best known for its 4x4s and utes.

It was put into receivership last December and then moved into a new court-managed receivership in April after its owner Mahindra failed to find a buyer.

Mahindra has a sales process in place at the moment, with tender submissions for 75 percent of the business requested until the end of July.

The KR10’s exterior is based on SsangYong’s new design language ‘Powered By Toughness’, which is also the basis of the J100’s looks.

The KR10 has clear styling links to the first and second generation SsangYong Korando, which were modelled after the short wheelbase Jeep CJ and Wrangler.

“We have re-interpreted our future design vision and product philosophy by drawing heavily on our unique heritage,” said Lee Kang, head of the SsangYong Design Centre.

“With the forthcoming J100 and KR10 models, we have drawn a line in the sand in terms of design, and everything from this point forward will follow this new brand design direction.

“It is a very exciting time for SsangYong and will build on the history and heritage of its unique and distinctively authentic SUV designs to impress its customers of the future.”