Is this ute a darkhorse to upset big name rivals such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, BYD Shark 6 and Kia Tasman? KGM Ssangyong could bring new O100 derived electric ute to Australia

SsangYong, soon to be known as KGM SsangYong, could have a sleeper ute on sale in Australia next year.

A production version of the O100 concept shown at the 2023 Seoul motor show is expected to go on sale in the UK — another right-hand drive market — next year, which opens the door to a possible Australian assault.

It is an electric ute aimed directly at the recently confirmed for Australia, LDV eTerron 9, and a zero-emissions alternative to diesel heroes such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger and the growing crop of plug-in hybrid workhorses led by the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha.

The company’s local outfit couldn’t confirm timing for the O100 for Australia, but its availability in right-hand drive gives it a solid shot for our market.

The O100 has some pretty impressive stats with it reportedly using a 80kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery sourced from BYD that provides a driving range of up to 480km.

It’ll have a vehicle-to-load (V2L) set-up that allows tradies to power their tools from a regular household point located in the vehicle.

The V2L capability likely means it can be upgraded in the future to have a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) function.

Federal Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen made an announcement at Sydney’s International EV Autoshow that Standards Australia has signed off on a new protocol, allowing the V2G technology to be approved for use in Australia, which will make this tech a big selling point for EVs.

The O100 is based on the Torres EVX mid-size electric SUV, which was originally slated to arrive at the end of this year in Australia but it has been pushed back to 2025.

This means it is likely to forgo the rugged ladder frame underpinning used by all the big name ute makers and use a car-like structure reminiscent of past Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore utes beloved by Aussies, and the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz currently sold in the US.

The O100 concept borrows the tough-looking Torres SUVs styling with a prominent grille with lighting the length of the bonnet and purely aesthetic grab handles on the bonnet, faux red row hooks in the front bumper and plenty of other eye-grabbing elements such as tub mounted grab handles and big T-O-R-R-E-S lettering on the tailgate.