KG Mobility (KGM) is launching the Torres EVX van (VAN), the first electric SUV in Korea to offer a semi-van-like experience for work and life.
The Torres EVX van, the first van model of an electric SUV in Korea, inherits the design of the Torres EVX without the clunky look of a cargo vehicle and boasts EV sensibility, futuristic and sophisticated style, versatility, excellent safety, and reasonable cost performance.
The Torres EVX van is the latest addition to the Torres brand's line-up to meet the needs of both work and life.
With a cargo space of up to 1,462 litres, it can carry cargo weighing up to 300 kilograms, maximising its versatility for business use on weekdays and leisure use on weekends. The rear-view window partition and safety bar between the driver and passenger compartments and the cargo area allow for safe cargo loading, while the digital rear-view mirror (DRM), which enables rearward visibility through the rear glass camera regardless of the height or volume of the cargo, makes for safer driving.
In addition, the Torres EVX van comes standard with safety features from the entry-level model (TV5), including Deep Control, an advanced driving safety assistance system that includes Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC). Despite being a two-seater, safety is maximised with eight airbags as standard, including a driver's knee airbag.
The van also features a 73.4-kilowatt-hour (kWh) capacity lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade battery, already proven for durability and safety in the Torres EVX, which offers the longest domestic warranty of 10 years/1 million kilometres, and a range of 411 kilometres per charge (on 18-inch tyres). The front-wheel motor and optimally torque-tuned gearbox deliver 207 hp of peak power and 34.6 kg-m of peak torque.
The selling price of the Torres EVX van by trim is KRW 44.38 million for the TV5 and KRW 46.29 million for the TV7, which is even more cost-effective if you add a subsidy of KRW 3.94 million (18-inch) from the Ministry of Environment and a subsidy by local government (KRW 1.43 million in Seoul to KRW 4.24 million in Jeonju, Jeonbuk). In addition, it is classified as a small cargo vehicle (electric vehicle) and can receive various tax benefits such as exemption from individual consumption tax 5%, exemption from education tax, income tax 5% (up to 1.4 million won reduction), and annual car tax 28,500 won (20-inch subsidy of 3.92 million won for the Ministry of Environment, local government subsidy, Seoul 1.42 million won to Jeonju 422 million won).
In addition, it saves more than KRW 2 million a year in operating costs. While a regular petrol SUV model (11.2 km/L) costs around KRW 3 million in fuel for 20,000 km per year, the Torres EVX van costs around KRW 900,000, a savings of KRW 2.1 million. Electric vehicles also benefit from a 50% reduction in highway tolls (1 litre of petrol costs 1,685 won (as of 24 May, Officenet) and 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity costs 220 won).
In particular, customers with diesel cars can receive an additional government subsidy of up to KRW 9.5 million, depending on the conditions, if they scrap them early and buy a new one.
Article roadtesting editorial (dhseo1208@gmail.com)
Photo KGM