MIAS 2024: BAIC PH shows brand’s knack for making SUVs

BAIC Philippines, now under the distributorship of the United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI), has officially relaunched for the local market at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). 

B40 Ragnar

With the Chinese brand’s re-entry into the Philippines, it brings with it five new models consisting of three body-one-frame SUVs and two crossovers. The SUVs consist of the B40 Ragnar, the B80 Wagon, and the B60 Beaumont. BIAC’s two all-new crossovers meanwhile, are the X7 Grandeza and the X55 Verve. 

B40 Ragnar

Amongst BAIC’s three SUVs, the B40 Ragnar is clearly positioned by the company as a comfortable off-roader that’s ready to go on adventures in the boonies. 

B40 Ragnar's front row cabin

Under the hood of this rugged-looking ride is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that can degenerate up to 158 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

For optimum off-road performance, the B40 gets a part-time four-wheel-drive system, a rear-locking differential, as well as a maximum ground clearance of 220mm. But while styled as a five-seater off-road rig, it does get some interior niceties like a dual-zone automatic climate control system, leather-clad interior surfaces, and a 10-inch touchscreen, among others. In addition, it features removable front and rear roofs. 

The B40 displayed at 2024 MIAS were given a set of BF Goodrich all-terrain tires

Price-wise, the B40 Ragnar retails at Php 2,368,000. 

B80 Wagon

With looks inspired by a famous boxy SUV from Germany, the B80 Wagon is a certified head-turner. Like the B40, it is also an off-road-capable SUV thanks to its locking rear differential, part-time four-wheel-drive, and a generous amount of ground clearance. 

B80 Wagon

Propelling this imposing-looking ride is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged gasoline engine that can put out 280 hp and 420 Nm of torque. Like the Ragnar and other BAIC B-series SUVs, it also gets an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

Step inside the B80 and you’ll find Nappa leather upholstery, a substantial sound system with a built-in subwoofer, a digital gauge cluster, and a touchscreen infotainment system, amongst other features. At launch, the B80 Wagon retails at Php 4,398,000.

B80 Wagon from the rear

B60 Beaumont

Next up in the BAIC lineup is the B60 Beaumont. It is still poised as an off-road capable model, but it is the more family-friendly among the three BAIC body-on-frame SUVs. This is thanks to having a third row. 

B60 Beaumont

Inside, this SUV gets plenty of goodies like a panoramic sunroof, active noise canceling, a 540-degree panoramic and undercarriage camera, leather seats and soft-touch surfaces,  a 13-piece Infinity speaker system, and many other features. This model features an advanced driver-assist safety suite (ADAS), as well. 

For engines, the B60 uses a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine paired with a 48-volt hybrid system. At the most, this powertrain can output 163 hp and 400 Nm of torque. It also gets an eight-speed automatic gearbox, a locking differential, and a part-time four-wheel-drive system. 

The B80 from the rear

The BAIC B60 Beaumont retails at Php 3,188,000. 

X55 Verve and X7 Grandeza

The other two BAIC crossover models that were launched at the 2024 MIAS are the compact-sized X55 Verve and the midsize X7 Grandeza. 

X55 Verve

At a glance, both rides boast slick-looking exteriors with sharp-looking LED headlamps, an LED taillight bar, and flush door handles. Inside meanwhile, both rides come with a whole slew of amenities like leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, and automatic air-conditioning, among others. 

The X7 Grandeza though, does get a fancier cockpit thanks to its triple-screen setup. Yes, it features three digital displays, one of which functions as a digital gauge cluster, the other is a dedicated control surface for air-conditioning, and the third is an infotainment screen. The larger X7 likewise gets heated and ventilated ottoman massage seats as well. 

X7 Grandeza

Furthermore, BAIC clearly didn’t scrimp on safety on these two crossovers as both get an extensive ADAS suite. 

For their engines, these two crossovers use a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. On both models, this four-banger can output 188 hp and 305 Nm of torque. Both models also use a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 

Price-wise, the X55 Verve retails at Php 1,348,000, while the larger X7 Grandeza is priced at Php 1,648,000.

Our Take

It is quite obvious that BAIC PH’s very varied lineup of new models is positioned to compete in two of the largest market segments in our country. But with how unique-looking their SUVs are, it seems that the brand is keen to show its knack for making SUVs. 

Test drives for these all-new BAIC and other UAAGI cars are available at the MIAS grounds (World Trade Center)

Sure the body-on-frame SUV market is particularly cut-throat and has been dominated years on end by well-known Japanese and American brands. But BAIC’s B40 Ragnar and the B80 Wagon might be unique enough to carve out their own paths within the segment. 

In the context of crossovers, it also helps that the X7 Grandeza and the X55 Verve aren’t just reasonably peppy, but they also offer oodles of amenities as well. 

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