MZANSI’S SUV market has blown up over the past few years, with competition being brutal.
Now, BAIC South Africa has officially launched its iconic SUV – the B40 Plus.
Its marketing operations vice president Mr Husaid: “BAIC SA is proud to add the B40 Plus to its model line-up. We believe this vehicle will be well-received by the market, and find quite a following among consumers who want to stand out in a crowd.”
Speaking of the company and its commitment to the country, Mr Hu added: “We are committed to the people of South Africa. We are actively working to improve the standard of the local automotive manufacturing industry while creating more local employment opportunities. Our goal is to provide South Africans with a wide range of quality products to suit various lifestyles and requirements.”
The design of the B40 Plus is bold and imposing. The styling echoes the confidence of the driver, with aggressive bumpers and wheel arches.
The SUV commands presence, whether it’s on city streets or showcasing its prowess off-road.
Its front is striking, with the iconic five-slot grille design that is inspired by the Great Wall of China.
The chrome and black accents on the exterior contrast the SUV’s body colour, adding visual interest. This is also echoed in the interior.
The bold design features imposing headlights with daytime running lights as well as front and rear fog lamps. The vertical wind shield design, large exterior mirrors and high seating position make for great all-round visibility.
The considered cabin is modern and sleek, and contains all appointments you would need in an SUV. Even some luxury German accents can be seen from the dual zone air conditioner, six-speaker audio system, colour-coded interior trim, chrome accents and reclining rear seats.
The B40 Plus was designed with practicality and functionality at the forefront of consideration.
The front suspension is a double wishbone/coil spring independent suspension while the rear one is a five-link/coil spring non-independent suspension.
A selectable 4WD system with mechanical central transfer case and rear differential lock allow for driver control over how the engine is powered, dependent on the terrain, conditions and requirements.
The B40 Plus is available in 2.0L petrol turbo or 2.0L turbo diesel.
The petrol engine kicks out 160kW while the diesel pushes out 110kW and 350Nm of torque.
Pricing:
The range starts from R549 500 to R629 500.
This review was made possible by BAIC.
