In recent years, the Chuseok holiday, traditionally centered on returning home to visit family, has evolved into a time for travel, relaxation, and outdoor activities like camping. More people are opting to take trips or enjoy local outings and camping with their families before or after their hometown visits.
On Monday, KG Mobility (KGM) reported that the diversifying travel purposes during the holiday period have led to increased utilization of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickups. The company presented options aligned with these changing travel preferences through its key lineup, including the New Torres, Actyon Hybrid, and Musso Electric Vehicle (EV).
For those planning to visit their hometown with family and then embark on a trip, vehicle space and convenience are paramount. This is due to the need to accommodate both holiday gifts and travel luggage for long-distance driving.
KGM’s New Torres maintains a robust SUV style while significantly enhancing its powertrain, driving system, and digital user experience (UX). The gasoline model features a new Aisin 8-speed automatic transmission, improving driving responsiveness and shift smoothness. It also introduces a new terrain mode for stable driving across various road conditions.
The New Torres’ terrain mode adjusts the driving system for different surfaces, including sand, mud, and snow. It offers seven driving modes in total, including Normal, Sport, Winter, and two wheel drive (2WD), allowing for versatile performance in urban, highway, and off-road settings.
The vehicle also excels in living space and cargo capacity. Second-row reclining seats enhance comfort on long trips, while the standard 703-liter trunk can fit four golf bags, four Boston bags, and still have room for an additional suitcase. With the second row folded, the cargo space expands to 1,662 liters, ideal for leisure activities like camping and car camping.
The Actyon hybrid, balancing efficiency and quietness, becomes increasingly valuable as travel time between multiple destinations grows. After navigating congested roads to reach hometowns, many find themselves back in the car for local trips or sightseeing.
KGM designed the Actyon hybrid to adapt to various driving environments, including urban and highway settings, using its Dual Tech hybrid system. The vehicle features a dedicated dual-motor transmission called e-DHT, enabling flexible transitions among nine driving modes, including EV, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and engine drive, based on driving conditions.
Notably, in urban areas, the vehicle can operate in EV mode for up to 94% of the journey, minimizing engine use during frequent stops and slow driving. This approach not only improves fuel efficiency but also ensures a quieter ride.
The combined fuel efficiency is 15.0 km/l (about 35 mpg) with 20-inch Nexen tires, while urban efficiency reaches 15.6 km/l. With Michelin tires, urban efficiency can increase to 15.8 km/l (about 37 mpg). The vehicle’s output, based on a 1.83 kWh high-voltage battery and a 130 kW motor, is another strong point. Even with the second-row seats up, it offers up to 652 liters of luggage space, easily accommodating holiday gifts and travel items.
The Musso EV expands holiday utility, especially for those extending their plans to outdoor activities like camping or car camping, where vehicle features and cargo space become crucial. Nolyuniverse’s reservation data shows a 131% year-over-year increase in bookings for camping, caravanning, and glamping, indicating a significant rise in outdoor leisure demand.
KGM designed the Musso EV to combine a pickup’s spacious cargo area with an electric vehicle’s economic benefits. Equipped with an 80.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, it offers a 400 km (about 248 miles) range on a single charge and features a deck capable of carrying up to 500 kg (about 1,102 lbs), suitable for large camping gear and recreational equipment.
The separate passenger cabin and cargo deck allow for clean storage of outdoor items without risking interior contamination from dirt or moisture. Additionally, the V2L function enables the vehicle’s battery to power various electronic devices and equipment at campsites.