South Korean car maker KGM – formerly known as SsangYong – is under fire from safety body ANCAP for the second time in just five days after it was found that approximately 100 units of its Torres EVX medium SUV weren’t fitted with centre airbags despite the maker claiming they were.

Last week the Musso EV electric ute was in a similar situation after ANCAP found that none of the Australian and New Zealand-spec models delivered locally were fitted with centre or driver’s knee airbags, even though the features were advertised as standard.

3

“A centre airbag was marketed by KGM as being present on Torres EVX vehicles as part of a standard suite of “8 airbags”, with references featured in their consumer vehicle specification brochure and website,” ANCAP said.

“The KGM Torres EVX is, however, only fitted with seven airbags. The KGM Musso EV was advertised as having eight airbags with only six fitted.”

According to ANCAP, only the electric EVX variant of the Torres is affected and both the petrol and hybrid versions have been confirmed as featuring a front centre airbag in Australia.

Centre airbags have become a big focus point for safety in recent times, and are generally positioned inboard within the driver’s seat back to reduce injury in side-impact crashes.

ANCAP is advising customers who have already purchased a Torres EVX that the safety specification of their vehicle may differ to what was advertised, and that the omission of the centre airbag may have an effect on occupant safety in side-impact collisions.

KGM Australia reportedly responded to ANCAP by saying that its marketing materials had been updated, but made no further comment about whether the missing airbag would be fitted to future models in Australia. The Torres EVX is no longer available in New Zealand.

Existing customers with concerns are advised to make contact with KGM Australia directly, or get in touch with their local KGM dealer.