Baic South Africa has officially announced the launch of its iconic SUV, the B40 Plus, in South Africa, bringing an interesting addition to the segment for local drivers.

The B40 Plus has its roots in the military and has over 60 years of heritage to draw on. It has been tested in almost every condition, altitude, terrain, and application over this time, leading to the claim that “it was born in the battlefield and perfected in the real world.” Is the off-road vehicle for you? Let’s take a look at the details released by Baic so far.

DESIGN & INTERIOR

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The design of the B40 Plus is bold and imposing. The styling features aggressive bumpers and wheel arches, giving the off-roader a commands presence whether it’s on city streets or showcasing its prowess off-road.

The front of the B40 Plus is striking, with the iconic 5-slot grille design that is inspired by the Great Wall of China. The chrome and black accents on the exterior contrast the vehicle’s body colour, adding visual interest. This is also echoed in the interior of the B40 Plus.

The bold design features imposing headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) as well as front and rear fog lamps. The vertical windshield design, large exterior mirrors and high seating position make for great all-round visibility.

The red tow hooks are a confident design characteristic on the B40 Plus, while making it easy to pull, tow or rescue travel companions in other vehicles.

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Inside the cabin you will find a modern, sleek interior with all the appointments you would need in an SUV — including Dual Zone Air Conditioning, 6-speaker audio system, colour-coded interior trim, chrome accents and even reclining rear seats. There are also features like the reverse camera, Park Distance Control (PDC), and customizable Multi-Information Display (MID), to keep the driver in complete control of his landscape.

The vehicle is available in a range of colours including Ice White, Onyx Black, Desert Red, Military Green, Forest Green, Sky Blue, and Ocean Blue.

OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY

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The off-road ability did not just inspire the design, Baic says 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 suspension is a 5-link/coil spring non-independent suspension. The overhangs are minimal and combined with a ground clearance of 210mm, it results in a generous approach angle of 37 degrees, departure angle of 31 degrees and rampover angle of 23 degrees.

The selectable 4WD system with a mechanical central transfer case and rear differential lock allows driver control over how the engine is powered, dependent on the terrain, conditions and requirements.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The B40 Plus comes standard with a host of active and passive safety features to ensure your adventure is on your terms. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) are standard across all models. Some models also include additional features such as Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Ascent Control (HAC) and Hill Descent Control (HAC).

The B40 Plus also has a built-in cage anti-roll body structure and anti-roll bar framework composed of a high strength steel plate and pipe beam, doubling protection and ability to maintain integrity in a 50-metre hillside roll, ensuring the safety of driver and passengers alike.

ENGINES

The B40 Plus is available in 2.0 litre Petrol Turbo or 2.0 litre Turbo Diesel. The petrol engine kicks out 160kW @ 5500 r/min while the diesel pushes out 110kW @ 4000 r/min and 350Nm of torque at 1800-2800 r/min.

MODEL LINE-UP

  • B40 PLUS Diesel
  • B40 PLUS Petrol
  • B40 PLUS City Hunter Diesel
  • B40 PLUS City Hunter Petrol
  • B40 PLUS Champion Petrol

PRICING

The B40 Plus is priced from R549,500 and goes up to R629,500 for the top-of-the-range offering. All B40 Plus models are sold with a 5-year/120,000km warranty.

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