KGM Motors UK, formerly SsangYong, has added a new full hybrid powertrain to its Torres SUV line-up.

Available alongside the existing 1.5-litre turbo petrol model and the fully electric EVX, it’s the brand’s first-ever hybrid and uses Dual Tech Hybrid technology developed with BYD, continuing the firms’ collaboration from the EVX.

The powertrain combines a 150hp 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with in-series dual motors for a total of 177hp. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic e-DHT transmission said to significantly improve real-world fuel economy. Official figures stand at 46.1mpg WLTP with CO2 emissions of 139g/km.

The dual-motor transmission supports nine different driving modes, including EV mode, HEV mode (series-parallel) and engine drive mode.

In the city, the Torres Hybrid can run in EV mode up to 95% of the time. For motorway driving, the system blends engine and motor power for “confident acceleration and efficiency”, with all-electric driving possible up to 62mph. The hybrid also gets three-level regenerative braking system with smart traffic-adaptive control.

The hybrid model carries over the Torres’ rugged SUV styling, complete with 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and also offers towing capacity of 1.3 tonnes, supported by Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), while the waterproof chassis allows safe submersion up to 300mm.

It’s available solely in the top-rung K40 trim, which comes with a panoramic widescreen display that pairs a 12.3-inch digital cluster with a 12.3-inch infotainment system, with connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, TomTom Navigation and Bluetooth. The cabin also comes with heated and ventilated leather front seats, dual-zone climate control, and 32-colour ambient lighting, and features up to 1,662 litres of cargo space.

Advanced driver-assistance systems include autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, front vehicle start alert, safety distance alert, rear blind spot-detection, lane change-collision warning and rear cross, traffic warning.

The Torres Hybrid is priced at £35,995, including KGM’s five-year/100,000-mile warranty. That compares to a starting price of £36,749 for the petrol and £36,995 for the EVX.

Kevin Griffin, managing director of KGM Motors UK, said the Torres Hybrid “combines the economic benefits of hybrid technology with the practicality and strength expected of the award-winning SUVs in our range”.

“This model marks the beginning of KGM’s continued expansion into eco-friendly vehicles, supported by new products and advanced powertrain options in the near future.”