China’s BAIC makes debut in Malaysia; previews two SUVs - X55 II and BJ40 Plus

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian automotive landscape recently welcomed another Chinese car brand named BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corp). The Beijing-based carmaker inaugurated its first showroom at Wisma Consplant 1 and previewed two SUVs - the X55 II and the BJ40 Plus yesterday. 

BAIC has partnered with Edaran Otomobil Elektrik (EOE), a subsidiary of Propadu Holdings, to distribute its vehicles in Malaysia.

BAIC X55 II

Set to rival the likes of the Proton X70 and Honda CR-V. the BAIC X55 II is a C-segment SUV. It measures 4,620 mm in length, 1,886 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height and spans a wheelbase of 2,735 mm.

BAIC Malaysia will offer the X55 II in two variants - Standard and Premium, expected to range between RM 12x,xxx and RM 14x,xxx. The SUV will be locally assembled at the EP Manufacturing (EPMB) plant in Melaka with deliveries slated to begin in Q4, 2024.

The BAIC X55 sports a sleek and modern design with a closed-off front end, a hexagonal bumper pattern, slim L-shaped LED daytime running lights, and flush pop-out door handles. At the rear, a split spoiler contributes to its sporty aesthetics, further enhanced by quad tailpipes.

Inside, the SUV features a minimalist design with a horizontal dashboard, a "floating" centre console, and dual ten-inch displays that control the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The Standard model boasts power-adjustable front seats wrapped in faux leather upholstery while the ones installed in the Premium trim offer memory, heating, and ventilation functions and comes wrapped in red genuine leather. Also part of the kit is - keyless entry, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, push-button start, six airbags, and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Powering the upcoming BAIC X55 II is a 1.5-litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which kicks out a maximum power of 188 PS at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 305 Nm from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. The power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, enabling the SUV to complete the century sprint in 7.8 seconds. 

BAIC BJ40 Plus

The BAIC BJ40 Plus is an off-road-ready SUV, which will be offered in a single CKD variant with an estimated price ranging from RM 180k to above RM 190k. The bookings of the SUV are now underway in Malaysia with deliveries set to begin in the last quarter of the year.

With a ladder frame chassis underneath, the upcoming BJ40 Plus measures 4,645 mm in length, 1,925 mm in width, and 1,871 mm in height, and carries a 2,745 mm long wheelbase. The SUV boasts a minimum ground clearance of 210 mm, along with a 37° approach angle and a 31° departure angle.

In terms of design, the SUV stands out with its unique five-hole front grille, tough under bumper guards, and handy off-road towing hooks placed both at the front and back. Accentuating the visual appeal of this rugged Chinese vehicle are LED front headlights and daytime running lights, 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and LED tail lights.

Moving to the cabin, here we can find several luxurious amenities such as leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a dual-zone air-conditioning system, and ambient lighting. It is also equipped with a 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel, a 10-inch head unit mated to a six-speaker audio system, and a reverse camera.

Under the hood of the BAIC BJ40 Plus, there is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that is tuned to deliver 224 PS and 380 Nm. The power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission mated to a Borg-Warner part-time 4WD system. Also part of the kit is a centre differential lock that enhances its off-roading capabilities.

Are you excited about BAIC SUVs launching in Malaysia, let us know in the comments.

Also read: GWM Malaysia to preview two new SUVs at Malaysia Autoshow 2024