Our market is saturated with a large number of B-segment offerings and a newcomer is set to arrive at year’s end, in the form of the new Beijing Auto (BAIC) D20. The new BAIC D20 will be brought in as a sedan and hatchback.
According to the exclusive distributor, Amber Dual Sdn Bhd, they are planning to introduce the BAIC D20 by October 2016, with the initial units being Completely Built Up (CBU). Completely Knocked Down (CKD) units are in the pipelines, with assembly set to begin at the Kulim plant.
In China, the BAIC D20 is available with two choices of Mitsubishi-derived engines, the first being a 1.3-litre that produces 99 horsepower and a larger 1.5-litre that has 113 horsepower. The BAIC D20 can be had with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. BAIC says that the manual variant can yield 15.38 km per litre, while the automatic can achieve 14.28 km per litre. Amber Dual is expected to debut the D20 with the 1.5-litre engine only.
Engine aside, BAIC has utilized the 2002 Mitsubishi Colt’s platform for the D20. The 2,500 mm wheelbase is identical to the Mitsubishi Colt, thought the D20 is wider and shorter than the car its based on. Brakes are ventilated discs up front, while the rear gets a pair of drum brakes. Fuel tank capacity is 45-litres, and BAIC has mentioned that the D20 is Euro 4 and Euro 5 compliant.
Up front, the BAIC D20 features a contemporary design, nothing that shouts in your face. The BAIC D20 gets a pair of projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, while the rear end receives a pair of LED tail lights. The 14-inch alloy wheels are wrapped with 185/60R14 Giti rubbers all round. Rear fog lights are also available on the little Chinese duo.
Moving inside and you’ll be greeted with a simple looking dashboard with a large 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system situated just below the centre air vents. This variant of the D20 gets digital air-conditioning controls, while the steering wheel gets the usual audio switches. In addition to that, the BAIC D20 can be had with six speakers, reverse camera, GPS navigation, auto head lights, chilled glove box, rain-sensing wipers and leather upholstery.
Safety wise, ABS and EBD comes equipped, thanks to Bosch. Further safety equipment on the Luxury trim includes a collapsible steering column, Brake Override System, driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, ISOFIX mounts, side impact beams, seat belt reminder for all seats, speed-sensing auto door locks, immobilizer, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and cruise control. Traction control and stability control is oddly missing. China’s crash test arm, aptly named C-NCAP, has given the pre-facelift BAIC D20 a three star crash test rating.
The BAIC D20 will be rivaling the popular Perodua Myvi and Proton Iriz when it arrives here. Prices are undisclosed as yet, but our friends over at Pandulaju reckons that the BAIC D20 could retail for below the RM50,000 mark.
Photo credit: Pandulaju
BAIC D20 Photo Gallery
