(Johannesburg, November 17, 2022). Beijing Automotive Industry Corp. (BAIC), one of the leading automobile manufacturers in China has launched its innovation-driven and iconic SUV, characterized by electrification, intelligence, connectivity and sharing this week. 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 underpins future vehicle 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 who have been our main partner in China for years, operating Mercedes-Benz factories in Beijing through joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive.”
“The X55 is the only product in its class to be equipped with China’s double Top 10 engines, and dozens of features with leading technological advantages which allow the X55 to provide South African consumers with an advanced sense of technology and a superior driving experience,” said Mr HU, adding that “this new generation SUV opens up the platform and exploration of BAIC South Africa in the field of comprehensive intelligent networked mobility!,” he said.
Mr Jianhui WANG, Vice President of BAIC Motor and Chairman of BAIC South Africa said: “As one of the Fortune 500 companies, BAIC has a complete industrial chain covering R&D and manufacturing of vehicles and components, and is one of the largest automotive companies in China with the most comprehensive product range, the most complete industrial chain and the leading market for new energy vehicles. We will continue to launch more new generation products to provide South African consumers with more options and an all-round premium experience,” said Mr HU. According to Mr WANG, in future, BAIC and the IDC will continue to play to their respective strengths and in further deepening their strategic cooperation to make BAIC South Africa a strategic market player based in South Africa and expansion to the African continent, and a model project for China-South Africa cooperation.”
The all-new BEIJING X55 is set to transform your world with its innovative, unique and trendy sports styling, accentuated sophisticated surfaces that are combined with soft, modern curves. 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 resistance,” says Costa. The BEIJING X55 has a truly avant-garde feel with a sophisticated space. “The BEIJING X55 offers unwavering finishes, a borderless low-wind grille, expansive sloping windscreen, convenient and elegant split rear wing, concealed door handles and wipers and more.”
“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.
