THE BAIC- pronounced (bike) technically off road is amazing.
We got the opportunity to test drive the B40 City Hunter and what a pleasure to test its ruggedness off-road in the Bokone Bophirima. It came out tops.
The BAIC has fielded three models for the SA market namely B40 Plus, B40 Plus City Hunter and B40 Plus Champion.
There are two engines on offer. A 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine punches out 160 kW/320 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed automatic, while the 2.0-litre turbodiesel produces peak outputs of 110 kW and 350 Nm of torque in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The newcomer’s off-road credentials are decent on paper, with a ground clearance of 210 mm, an approach angle of 37 degrees, a departure angle of 31 degrees and a break-over angle of 23 degrees.
BAIC confirmed its B40 Plus has been put through the wringer; the model has undergone in excess of 7 500 km of off-road testing.
The Chinese maker claims the newcomer’s styling as “bold and unapologetic”.
Although hittin’ the ground from Jozi to NW with intermittent rain clocking 120k/h, one thing I had to bear in mind was that it used 95 unleaded fuel- meaning I had to control my acceleration, as onlookers could not help but wonder at this beast as it completed the wet weather conditions!
Loved the cabin architecture looks upmarket at first glance and, upon closer inspection and based on what we can see, the Mercedes-Benz/BAIC joint venture makes allowances for components of the (Three-pointed Star) to be implemented directly in the Chinese product.
The start button appears to have been lifted from the E-Class, while the air vents look sourced from Benz’s compact-car range. Aha…
It comes loaded with17-inch alloy wheels, ABS Auto-hold Snow/Sport mode, dual airbags, central locking, reverse parking camera, parking sensors, 10-inch central display, bluetooth/USB connectivity, 6x speakers, 60:40 rear folding leather seats, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights dual-zone auto aircon and tyre pressure sensors.
Talk of rear-folding seats, my Cuzz and I decided to dump some of unwanted stuff that were crammed in one of the outside rooms and it worked magically, as we took the front top off that solicited whistles and ooohss from my locals.
Ah, how could I forget little boys and girls who came early every-morning to just to lend support in the form ‘washing’ it and being taken for a round enjoying the blasting sounds of the late hip hop star and Mahikeng born HHP?
Also included is electronic stability control, electronic brake assist, traction control
hill-start assist and hill descent control.
According to the spokesperson for BAIC-SA, Patience Dumisane, the brand new B80 will be unveiled in June this year.
It bears a striking resemblance as the Benz G-Class… Perhaps the joint venture between BAIC and its Stuttgart-based partner allows for some sharing of design elements?
It retails from R549 500 and goes up to R629 500 for the top-of-the-range derivative.
It is sold with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and competitive service plan options are available.
Service intervals are 15 000 km/12 months for both the turbopetrol and -diesel derivatives.
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (6)
Fuel 1-10 (4)
Image SLM (The BAIC 40 City Hunter edition became an off-road hunter).
