Beijing-based carmaker BAIC has made its official debut in Malaysia, with two models being shown today. The most important of these is the X55, a C-segment SUV that competes with the likes of the Proton X70 and Honda CR-V.
The X55 will be offered in two variants – Standard and Premium, carrying estimated pricing of between RM12x,xxx and RM14x,xxx. One thing of note is that the car you see here is a pre-production unit – the finalised CKD version is only set to be delivered in the fourth quarter of the year, locally assembled at the EP Manufacturing (EPMB) plant in Melaka.
Our previous report erroneously classified the X55 as a B-segment SUV, but its dimensions easily put it in a class above. Measuring 4,620 mm long, 1,886 mm wide and 1,680 mm tall, the BAIC is nearly 100 mm longer, 55 mm wider and just 14 mm lower than the X70, while its 2,735 mm wheelbase is 65 mm longer. In fact, it’s only slightly smaller than benchmark Honda CR-V, which measures 4,691 mm long, 1,866 mm wide and 1,691 mm tall. Another indicator of the X55’s C-segment status is its independent multilink rear suspension.
Both variants are powered by the same 1.5 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine that produces 188 PS at 5,500 rpm and 305 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. All that is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, enabling the X55 to get from zero to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.2 litres per 100 km on the WLTP cycle.
On the outside, the X55 certainly cuts a sharp figure, with slim L-shaped LED daytime running lights and taillights (the main LED headlights are mounted low down in the bumper), prominent bonnet creases, upswept window line and chrome window strips. The closed-off front end gives the car an EV-like look, enhanced by the hexagonal bumper pattern reminiscent of the Lexus RX. Flush pop-out door handles are also fitted.
At the rear, you’ll find a large split spoiler for a very sporty look. This will be enhanced by quad tailpipes that aren’t on the pre-production unit but will be visible on the finalised versions, similar to the Proton X50. A two-tone colour scheme will be available as an option with a black roof and door mirrors. Another quirk on this particular car is the “Beijing” badging, which will be replaced by “BAIC” on retail units.
Inside, the X55 features a minimalist appearance that’s all the rage among Chinese carmakers, with a sleek horizontal dashboard bookended by L-shaped corner air-con vents. There’s also a “floating” centre console with a flat gear selector, lots of open storage and a standard Qi wireless charger.
The front occupants sit on stylish power-adjustable seats with integrated headrests. The Standard model comes with faux leather upholstery, with the Premium getting red genuine leather as well as memory, heating and ventilation functions.
The X55 also comes with twin ten-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment, the latter incorporating the dual-zone climate controls. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality, but you do at least get Bluetooth and six speakers.
Other standard kit includes keyless entry, push-button start, a panoramic glass sunroof, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear air-con vents, a reverse camera, a powered tailgate and six airbags. The Premium adds ten-colour ambient lighting, visible in the doors.
One unknown is the level of driver assistance systems on offer. The pre-production unit you see here doesn’t have them, but BAIC promised that the finalised versions will have front collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and blind spot warning. You won’t get lane keeping or lane centring, however, and there’s also no word on autonomous emergency braking.
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Proton even with Geely partnership will be hard pressed to survive this influx of Chinese vehicles. Be it ice or bev or hybrid, they have it all.
Will proton survive? Will perodua survive?
No wonder PNB decided to move umw Toyota distributorship under some Darby automotive. They will be hard hit
let them rot and stop sucking rakyat’s blood
Overpriced
Beautiful in everything, including the steering wheel. BAIC wording on steering wheel is better than the ugly logo.
No glass roof please. AWD is a must.
Why the mainlanders like red car seats and named their SUVs with X as preferred prefixes? Why not C55? Or BAI55??
BAIC need to streamline its price offerings in the X55 to meaningfully compete from the word go.
Max price of its top model cannot
be higher then X70. Take out heated seating, sun roof which are useless in Malaysia. Need to work on the Safety package and interior. Current interior looks terrible.
So china man look. Made in china boleh pakai?
go search baic in google. it is a fortune 500 company and it has very long establish history in vehicle making sector. Let’s wait for the buyer in the future to give comment.
Omg the word “BEIJING” is so fugly. I feel like the ambassador of CCP for driving this
The Chinese are flooding our market with cheap products without having the need to invest in the country.
The effects are opened for debate.
so you like the idea of P1 and P2 being “competitive” by handicapping foreign makers ?
new jobs are created by the chinese partnership. I see nothing wrong. What is wrong is Tesla, selling in Malaysia but no contribution. That is American style. Cakap kosong tapi sapu kering
If they get the after-sales right, this might be the biggest Chinese threat to the local SUV market, simply because of the price bracket and its segment.
should not be a problem as it will go CKD in melaka. parts availability won’t be an issue. yes, looking at it spec and price, it maybe a game changer. looking forward for this great product to be seen on the road.
the dash look a bit plain…
X70 now out of league. This will go against CR-V. 1.5 VGT 4 cylinder. Very tempting.
BaiC bukan BaiK
wish they only sell this at 50% higher than China RSP, damn p1 and p2….
Having “BEIJING” on the hood is a goofy ahh ching cheng hanji moment.
Beijing name at the rear. Obvious a Tiongkok car.