SsangYong Korando E100 EV previewed
The Korean manufacturer SsangYong has offered a sneak peek of its new battery electric SUV codenamed E100.
The first EV to come from SsangYong, it is due to be released in the first half of 2021.
Australian sales are yet to be confirmed, but in a press release SsangYong Australia chief operating officer Chris Mandile was described as “enthusiastic” about bringing the E100 here.
The press material also confirmed the E100 has been tested in Australia as part of its development.
Little specific detail was offered about the E100, which is a mid-size five-door wagon based on the orthodox Korando SUV.
When it does come to production the EV is expected to be known as the SsangYong Korando E100.
Like the 2018 e-SIV concept, the E100 is expected to power the front wheels via a 140kW electric motor that is fed by a 61.5kWh LG Chem lithium-ion battery pack. Range is claimed to be 420km on the NEDC test cycle and top speed will be 153km/h.
E100 design firsts for SsangYong include an aluminium bonnet – part of a light-weighting strategy in pursuit of efficiency.
SsangYong also highlighted the E100’s exterior design, especially the sealed front grille. It says the styling is inspired from nature, “especially animals that have adapted to their environment through evolution”. Yep, ok.
SsangYong has been a struggling player in the Australian market since it first arrived in the 1990s. It relaunched here in late 2018.
Regarded as an SUV specialist and first established in 1954, it was acquired by Mahindra in 2011.
But the Indian multinational has now placed SsangYong up for sale and its future uncertain.
