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2015 BAIC X25
- Thread starter Sumen
- Start date
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Chinese brand BAIC launches X25 SUV in South Africa
Back in April, the Beijing Automobile International Corporation (BAIC) launched its first product – the D20, in both hatchback and sedan form – in South Africa. And now the Chinese automaker has added the X25 SUV to its local range.
BAIC, which announced an R11-billion investment in SA last year, will offer the X25 in four derivatives. All are powered by a naturally aspirated 1,5-litre petrol engine (as used in the D20 line-up) worth 85 kW and 148 N.m, sent exclusively to the front wheels.
Each of the two cheapest variants employs a five-speed manual transmission, while the two slightly more expensive derivatives use a four-speed automatic. Two trim levels are available, although we’ve yet to learn of exact specifications.
BAIC’s international website lists the X25 as measuring 4 110 mm in length, which makes it around the size of a Kia Soul (a mere 30 mm shorter, to be exact), with a wheelbase of 2 519 mm.
Inside, you’ll likely notice that plenty of inspiration has been taken from the design of Mercedes-Benz cabins, which makes sense considering the two companies are closely linked in China, where they work together in a joint venture.
Pricing:
BAIC X25 1,5 Comfort: R219 990
BAIC X25 1,5 Fashion: R229 990
BAIC X25 1,5 Comfort auto: R239 990
BAIC X25 1,5 Fashion auto: R249 990
http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/chinese-brand-baic-launches-x25-suv-in-south-africa/
Back in April, the Beijing Automobile International Corporation (BAIC) launched its first product – the D20, in both hatchback and sedan form – in South Africa. And now the Chinese automaker has added the X25 SUV to its local range.
BAIC, which announced an R11-billion investment in SA last year, will offer the X25 in four derivatives. All are powered by a naturally aspirated 1,5-litre petrol engine (as used in the D20 line-up) worth 85 kW and 148 N.m, sent exclusively to the front wheels.
Each of the two cheapest variants employs a five-speed manual transmission, while the two slightly more expensive derivatives use a four-speed automatic. Two trim levels are available, although we’ve yet to learn of exact specifications.
BAIC’s international website lists the X25 as measuring 4 110 mm in length, which makes it around the size of a Kia Soul (a mere 30 mm shorter, to be exact), with a wheelbase of 2 519 mm.
Inside, you’ll likely notice that plenty of inspiration has been taken from the design of Mercedes-Benz cabins, which makes sense considering the two companies are closely linked in China, where they work together in a joint venture.
Pricing:
BAIC X25 1,5 Comfort: R219 990
BAIC X25 1,5 Fashion: R229 990
BAIC X25 1,5 Comfort auto: R239 990
BAIC X25 1,5 Fashion auto: R249 990
http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/chinese-brand-baic-launches-x25-suv-in-south-africa/
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BAIC launches new compact SUV, will be built in SA
It might take a while before SA’s newest Chinese brand BAIC is rolling off the average car buyer’s tongue (it’s actually pronounced ‘bike’), but this company is certainly taking our market seriously, having committed to investing R11-billion in establishing a factory near Port Elizabeth.
While its local manufacturing chapter is only expected to commence in 2018, BAIC has already entered our market as an importer and following the launch of its Polo-Vivo-rivalling D20 sedan and hatch range back in April, the carmaker is entering the rapidly growing compact crossover market with the X25, which was launched at the SA Motoring Experience at Kyalami on Friday.
The X25,which will be built in SA once the factory is up and running, shares its basic bodyshell with the D20 but gets its own, and far more adventurous-looking, sheetmetal. It won’t necessarily stand out from the crowd, but the X25 is a decent looking vehicle which fits the trendy crossover mould that’s proving to be such a big formula for success these days.
The front-wheel-drive crossover is powered by a normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 84kW and 148Nm, which is about on par with an entry-level Ford EcoSport. It doesn’t undercut its rivals by too much of a margin however, with the range starting at R219 900.
BAIC offers two trim grades, Comfort and Fashion, and each is offered with a choice between five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission.
Even the base Comfort model is well stocked, with standard fare including a 17.8cm entertainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, multi-function leather-covered steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, rear park assist and 16-inch alloys.
The ‘Fashion’ model adds an electric sunroof, cruise control, reverse camera and two extra speakers.
BAIC is partnered with Mercedes-Benz in China and the X25’s cabin design seems to have been inspired by the latest A-Class family. It’s quite flashy, with mock-carbon panelling on the dashboard and circular air vents with chrome garnishes, but many of the plastic surfaces look fairly cheap, although overall build quality seemed decent enough.
But what’s it like to drive? Our exposure at the preview launch was limited to riding shotgun for a lap around the track, and from that initial impression, the engine seemed to struggle at times and the gearbox hunted a bit, but we’ll only be able to give you a proper and fair verdict after a full road test, which should happen soon.
BAIC currently has dealerships in select cities, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, but the carmaker aims to have 22 dealers spread throughout the country by the end of this year.
PRICES
X25 1.5 Comfort manual 84kW/148Nm R219 990
X25 1.5 Fashion manual 84kW/148Nm R229 990
X25 1.5 Comfort auto 84kW/148Nm R239 990
X25 1.5 Fashion auto 84kW/148Nm R249 990
https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/late...-new-compact-suv-will-be-built-in-sa-11039081
It might take a while before SA’s newest Chinese brand BAIC is rolling off the average car buyer’s tongue (it’s actually pronounced ‘bike’), but this company is certainly taking our market seriously, having committed to investing R11-billion in establishing a factory near Port Elizabeth.
While its local manufacturing chapter is only expected to commence in 2018, BAIC has already entered our market as an importer and following the launch of its Polo-Vivo-rivalling D20 sedan and hatch range back in April, the carmaker is entering the rapidly growing compact crossover market with the X25, which was launched at the SA Motoring Experience at Kyalami on Friday.
The X25,which will be built in SA once the factory is up and running, shares its basic bodyshell with the D20 but gets its own, and far more adventurous-looking, sheetmetal. It won’t necessarily stand out from the crowd, but the X25 is a decent looking vehicle which fits the trendy crossover mould that’s proving to be such a big formula for success these days.
The front-wheel-drive crossover is powered by a normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 84kW and 148Nm, which is about on par with an entry-level Ford EcoSport. It doesn’t undercut its rivals by too much of a margin however, with the range starting at R219 900.
BAIC offers two trim grades, Comfort and Fashion, and each is offered with a choice between five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission.
Even the base Comfort model is well stocked, with standard fare including a 17.8cm entertainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, multi-function leather-covered steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, rear park assist and 16-inch alloys.
The ‘Fashion’ model adds an electric sunroof, cruise control, reverse camera and two extra speakers.
BAIC is partnered with Mercedes-Benz in China and the X25’s cabin design seems to have been inspired by the latest A-Class family. It’s quite flashy, with mock-carbon panelling on the dashboard and circular air vents with chrome garnishes, but many of the plastic surfaces look fairly cheap, although overall build quality seemed decent enough.
But what’s it like to drive? Our exposure at the preview launch was limited to riding shotgun for a lap around the track, and from that initial impression, the engine seemed to struggle at times and the gearbox hunted a bit, but we’ll only be able to give you a proper and fair verdict after a full road test, which should happen soon.
BAIC currently has dealerships in select cities, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, but the carmaker aims to have 22 dealers spread throughout the country by the end of this year.
PRICES
X25 1.5 Comfort manual 84kW/148Nm R219 990
X25 1.5 Fashion manual 84kW/148Nm R229 990
X25 1.5 Comfort auto 84kW/148Nm R239 990
X25 1.5 Fashion auto 84kW/148Nm R249 990
https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/late...-new-compact-suv-will-be-built-in-sa-11039081