Beijing Automotive Industry Corp. (BAIC), one of the largest automobile manufacturers in China has announced the launch of its innovation-driven and iconic SUV, characterized by electrification, intelligence, connectivity and sharing. The BEIJING X55 is a compact SUV with avant-garde styling, excellent power, advanced technology and the latest generation of the BAIC Group’s BMFA (Beijing modular functional architecture) platform chassis, which will underpin future vehicle models and plug-in hybrid vehicle models.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BAIC South Africa, Mr Hugo HU says that the company has invested in developing intelligent cars under a new brand, BEIJING underpinned by cooperation with its partners on intelligent connected vehicle technologies. “We’re bringing the best of breed in innovation, supported by Daimler’s technology, which has been our main partner in China for years, operating Mercedes-Benz factories in Beijing through joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive.”
Futuristic design
Basil Costa, Senior Manager at BAIC South Africa says that the BEIJING X55 boasts a sophisticated interior and exterior design. “The futuristic design is truly visible in every aspect of the vehicle. The LED lights, floor door induction, hidden door hands, split rear wing and the shark fin aerial accentuates the vehicle’s ultramodern design. Opening the door is like shaking hands, with stylish high class sports car door handle design, which significantly reduces side wind resistence,” says Costa. The BEIJING X55 has a truly avant-garde feel with a sophisticated space-turbo interior, highlighting engine-style air vents, aircraft style steering mechanism and 3D light effect textured ambient lighting. Included in this package is a CarbitLink infotainment system.
“The exterior has a lot more to offer, with an induction pop-up, ensuring that when carrying the key near the vehicle, the BEIJING X55 automatically unlocks and pops up the door handle; when getting out of the vehicle, the vehicle automatically locks and closes the door handle,” says Costa, adding that “pressing the right side of the door handle supports manual unlocking or closing, automatic and manual dual choice. Then there is the Ice-breaking mode, which ensures that if the door handle is frozen due to low temperatures, the door lock motor automatically triggers three times of force to break the ice to ensure that the car use is not affected.”
This vehicle is in a class of its own, with the best in its class, crafted in detail with a borderless low wind resistance grille, large sloping windscreen, flowing curves, split tailgate, hidden door handles, hidden wipers, flat chassis and other designs. “When driving in the rain, the windscreen retains fewer raindrops and the windows on both sides of the driver and passenger sides are cleaner, enhancing driving safety. The BEIJING X55 has ultra-low wind resistance, with a drag coefficient of 0.32” adds Costa.
Power and Performance
With highly efficient power, the magic core of the vehicle, BEIJING X55 holds a 1.5 turbo engine with a 380 dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and 130KW – 305NM, showcasing impeccable power. Acceleration is a breeze with 7.8s 0-100km/h, this BMFA latest generation 2.0 architecture chassis also offers multiple driving modes: eco, comfort, sports and smart. This double Top 10 Powertrain winner, has an efficient fuel consumption of per 100km: 7.2 litres and a 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.8 seconds.
About BAIC
After 63 years of unremitting development, BAIC Automotive Group Co., Ltd. (BAIC Group) has become one of the five largest automotive groups in China. With its headquarters located in Beijing and at the Turin Styling Centre in Italy and production bases all over China, BAIC Group currently have around 130,000 employees. It is one of the automotive groups in China with the most comprehensive portfolio of products, covering the full range from passenger to commercial vehicles.
In 2018, BAIC Group achieved the promising results 2,402,000 sold units, making BAIC Group No. 5 in China’s automotive sector in terms of income and profit, and No.3 in terms of brand value.
As of 2021, BAIC Group is126th in the Fortune Global 500 and has been on the Fortune 500 list for the past 9 years.BAIC INTL’s core business is the development of reliable commercial, passenger, electronic and other types of vehicles. The implementation of BAIC INTL’s strategy is based on two main focal points:
“The BAIC South Africa plant project was officially launched in December 2015. The factory construction kicked off in August 2016. The first production units of SKD vehicles came off the assembly plant floor in July 2018. BAIC reiterates their plan to become a household name in South Africa and a bigger part of the economy from an employment and skills development perspective. BAIC vehicles are set to become a popular sight on our streets, giving much needed independence and mobility to an up-and-coming market.